cultural resources and influences
TRANSCRIPT
CULTURAL RESOURCES AND INFLUENCES
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There is so much to see and do for individuals of all
ages. From the mighty Mississippi to the limestone
bluffs to the public art to the food scene to the historical
landmarks- and of course the parks- Dubuque County is a
vibrant part of Iowa that is just waiting to be explored.
The mission of the Dubuque County Conservation Board is
to have network of high quality parks, habitats, trails and
waters supported by communities passionate about nature.
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A BRIEF HISTORY AND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTAges ago, when Iowa was much different than it
is today, a race of human beings not unlike the
Eskimos inhabited the territory. The great glacier
of the Mississippi Valley was, at that time, receding
toward the north. On its edge lived a race of short,
stout, flat-featured men and women. Of them, little is
known. More has been discovered about those who
succeeded the short people — the Mound Builders.
They were called Mound Builders, because all through
the Mississippi Valley, and in other portions of the United
States, especially east of the Mississippi River, are visible
mounds that were built by this ancient people. In Iowa,
many can be found in Jackson, Louisa, Clayton and
Scott Counties, as well as other areas. The largest and
best known are the Effigy Mounds in northeast Iowa.
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Caution: Steep Trail Incline
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Situated along the Upper Mississippi River and extending
east to Lake Michigan, these mounds were built in the
shapes of birds, bear, deer, bison, lynx, turtle, panther
or the water spirit; as well as conical mounds for burial
purposes. These peoples also built linear or long
rectangular mounds that were used for ceremonial
purposes that remain a mystery. Some archaeologists
believe they were built to mark celestial events or
seasonal observances. Others speculate they were
constructed as territorial markers or as boundaries
between groups. The Effigy Mound Culture extends
from Dubuque, Iowa, north into southeast Minnesota,
across southern Wisconsin from the Mississippi River
to Lake Michigan, and along the Wisconsin-Illinois
boundary. The counties of Dubuque, Clayton, and
Allamakee contain almost all the effigy mounds found
in Iowa. Little Maquouketa Mounds is a state owned,
county managed area with a significant burial site.
The Dakota Sioux had crossed the Rocky Mountains and
followed the Missouri River and its branches eastward.
These western Native Americans were more warlike
than those of the Atlantic Coast. When the tribes
clashed, the Mound Builders were crushed. In vain,
they tried to oppose the fierce strangers invading the
territory and Iowa became a battleground. The Sioux
held the region in the north of Iowa and in Minnesota
and penetrated Wisconsin. The Algonquins surged
below them to the Missouri River, occupying the rest
of Iowa and northern Missouri. The line between the
rivals reached about from the mouth of the Upper
Iowa River to the mouth of the Big Sioux River.
LIMITED POPULATIONS OF THE ROUGH GROUSE REMAIN IN IOWA. IT HAS BEEN RUMORED FINLEY’S LANDING IS THE LAST KNOWN LOCATION.
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Iowa was an ideal home for them. On the hills and in
the valleys were the deer; on the prairies the buffalo.
The noble wild turkey dwelt in the woods and the
prairie chicken and ruffed grouse were on every
side in meadows and thickets. The numerous lakes
and streams furnished fish and afforded passage
for the bark canoes. Wild plum and grape were ripe
for the picking. The hickory nut and the hazelnut
were plentiful and maize waved in the fields.
In about 1712 the Sac and the Fox tribes became close
allies. Formerly they lived with other Algonquin in
Wisconsin and Michigan but together moved to the
Mississippi River. The Julien Dubuque Monument stands
on the edge of the bluff above Catfish Creek in the
Mines of Spain Recreation Area. This area was important
historically in the Indian-French fur trading culture
and the first record of lead mining by a French trader,
Nicholas Perrot, in 1690. In 1788 Julien Dubuque was
granted rights by the Mesquakie tribe to mine their land
for lead. Dubuque settled close to the village of Kettle
Chief just south of where the Julien Dubuque Monument
now stands. It was here that Dubuque founded the
first Euro-American settlement in what is now Iowa.
Spanish influence was growing throughout the new
land and Dubuque, concerned about the legality of
his grant from the natives, Dubuque petitioned the
Spanish governor seeking permanent possession of
the land. In 1796 Dubuque’s petition was granted
and he named his 189 square mile area of land “The
Mines of Spain” in honor of this Spanish governor.
JULIEN DUBUQUE MONUMENT
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Dubuque eventually married Potosa, daughter of Peosta,
the chief of the Mesquakie Indians. Dubuque died in
March of 1810 and when he died the Mesquakie buried
him with tribal honors beneath a log mausoleum at
the site of the current monument. The Julien Dubuque
monument was built in 1897 and sits high above the
Mississippi River. It overlooks the Mines of Spain property
in the town that would eventually bear his name.
In 1833, the area where Julien Dubuque settled and
worked was opened to settlement by the United
States Government. Miners created a settlement- this
settlement eventually became the city of Dubuque.
The religious community began with St. Luke’s United
Methodist Church. It is the oldest Methodist church in
the state. Its origins trace back to the founding of the city;
when Methodist ministers arrived and began work with
the miners of the time. This was the first congregation
of any denomination west of the Mississippi River. A
small Catholic parish was established 1833. It eventually
became the Saint Raphael’s Cathedral parish. A Catholic
church council recommended to the pope that
three new dioceses be created, one of which was at
Dubuque. In 1837, the Dubuque Diocese was created,
and Mathias Loras was appointed as a bishop. When
he arrived in Dubuque, there were only a few priests
to cover a large area that consisted of several states.
Bishop Loras encouraged large numbers of immigrants
to come to the area from the crowded cities in the
eastern US. Many immigrants settled in Dubuque and
the surrounding area. Many Irish families came to the
area because of their desire for a fresh start from the
poor conditions in Ireland and the crowded conditions
in the east. For many years, Irish families mainly settled
in the southern parts of the city - that area was often
referred to as Little Dublin. They were followed by a small
group of Germans. However, over the years the German
population grew until Germans became one of the two
main ethnic groups in the city. While other groups—such
as Hispanics and African Americans -- have become
more prominent over the years, many living in Dubuque
are descendants of German and Irish immigrants.
H I S T O R I C A L A R E A S O F I N T E R E S T W I T H I N T H E PA R K S Y S T E M T O DAYSWISS VALLE Y NATURE PRESERVE AND NATURE CENTER The preserve features a nature center containing
interpretive displays concerning the wildlife,
ecology, and natural history of the Swiss Valley area.
The center also houses the administrative office
of the Dubuque County Conservation Board.
More than 10 miles of self-guiding nature and hiking
trails radiate outward from the center through the forest,
prairie, and wetland areas. The Catfish Creek, which
meanders through the preserve, is stocked with trout by
the Iowa DNR each year. Winter provides opportunities
for cross-country skiing and snowshoe hikes.
LIT TLE MAQUOKETA RIVER MOUNDSSituated high atop a limestone ridge, overlooking
the Little Maquoketa River just north of Dubuque,
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LITTLE MAQU0KETA GREENWAY
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this 41-acre preserve features 32 ancient burial
mounds. The preserve also harbors a mature
forest containing numerous wildflowers and a
small remnant of native blufftop prairie.
Purchased by the Iowa DOT in 1980, and managed by
the DCCB, this site is a classic example of a place to
observe “stream piracy” and the route that took the Little
Maquoketa River from its original bed. A trail up the bluff
continues at the top to circle around the Indian Mounds
that are protected by fencing. The mounds range from 13
to 42 feet across and 6.5 to 50 feet high. Over 15 Native
American tribes were consulted in the development
of the site. Informational kiosks at the parking lot
and blufftop explain the significant archaeological,
geological, and natural resources found at the site.
POHLMAN PRAIRIE PRESERVELocated just south of Durango, the Pohlman Prairie
Preserve is a unique 23-acre site consisting of native
bottomland forest and native prairie remnants on the
high bluffs overlooking the Little Maquoketa River valley.
The parkland was donated to the Conservation Board
in 1998 by the Kolck family in memory of Henry
Pohlman, the original owner. This “goat prairie” is in
bloom for much of the spring, summer and fall.
WHITEWATER C ANYON WILDLIFE AREABridging the lines between Dubuque, Jackson and Jones
counties, Whitewater Canyon Wildlife Area is one of
the jewels in the Dubuque County Conservation Board
system. The 419-acre area is open for public hunting
POHLMAN PRAIRIE PRESERVE, DUBUQUE
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during state designated hunting seasons. It is also a favorite with hikers, wildlife-watchers, and anglers dipping a line in Whitewater Creek. During periods of sufficient water, it is also floated by canoers and kayakers. Winter provides areas to snowshoe and cross-country ski.
One of only three true canyons in the State of Iowa, the walls of Whitewater provide a lesson in the state’s geology taking one back 450 million years to a time when what is now Iowa was under the sea. Rare plants and animals are also sheltered in the various natural communities found on the property.
K E Y S T O P S A LO N G T H E H E R I TAG E T R A I L Explore the Upper Midwest’s most scenic all-season trail. Follow the 26-mile route of a once bustling railroad into a 45- foot deep valley past old mining and mill towns. Discover the rugged beauty that welcomes thousands of bicyclists and hikers each year.
1872 BRIDGE• This historical train bridge was previously
used as an approach to pan the Mississippi River. It has since been relocated and converted to a rest stop along the trail.
GRAF FOSSIL SITE• Upper Ordovician Nautiloid Beds
at a roadcut near Graf, Iowa
• Most of the 10 meters or so exposed at Graf are shales from the Elgin Member of the Maquoketa,
which is in the Upper Ordovician. In this small section there is a remarkable variety of fossils. The massive upper beds are mostly dolostones and limestones, and several of them are coquinas (a rock that is composed mostly of fossils)
STONE ARCH CULVERTS• These historic limestone culverts were built
under the original rail bed of the Heritage Trail between Dyersville and Farley
SPLIT ROCK• The Heritage Trail passes through large cut
cliffs. This location shows off the dramatic geographical features of Dubuque County and recalls railroad history of the trail.
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1872 BRIDGE GRAF FOSSIL SITE
STONE ARCH CULVERTS SPLIT ROCK
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S P E N D A DAY I N D U B U Q U E C O U N T YA LEISURELY DAY
1. Wake up in cabins at New Wine Park
and go for a morning birding hike.
2. Kayak down the North Fork Maquoketa River.
3. Head into Dyersville for lunch and to play
some pickup ball at the Field of Dreams
4. Ride the Heritage Trail.
5. Explore the Fossil site in Graf
6. Return to New Wine cabins and end the day
fishing and cooking a campfire dinner.
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AN ADVENTUROUS DAY 1. Wake up at Swiss Valley Nature Preserve
primitive campsites, make a campfire breakast
and hike back to the nature center.
2. Ride the Heritage Trail from Dubuque to Heritage
Pond. Fish or paddle board with a picnic lunch.
3. Go mountain biking or rock climbing
at the Proving Grounds. Take abreak
for a leisurely game of disc golf.
4. Continue on to Durango for food and drink.
5. Ride the Heritage Trail to Twin Springs for
evening fishing and camping overnight.
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WEEKEND MINI-VAC ATIONDay 1:
• Wake up in your tent at Massey
Marina for a campfire breakfast
• Hit the Dubuque Water Trail with your kayaks
– Paddle along the Mississippi River between
A.Y. McDonald Park and Massey Marina
and access the 11-mile water Trail
– Snack lunch while you paddle
– Don’t forget your life jacket!
– Pop into Mines of Spain to do the
five-mile loop on Catfish Creek
– Try to catch some trout
• Rinse off and head to Dimensional Brewing Company for food, local beer and cider
• Back to camp for stories and s’mores around the campfire
Day 2:
• Wake up and cook breakfast to start the day
• Pack up and head to Whitewater Canyon Wildlife Area
– There is plenty for the crew to do there including hiking, kayaking, fishing and hunting
– Grab lunch in Cascade at the Brothers Market Deli
• Hit the Heritage Trail and bike north to the Pohlman Prairie Preserve
– Prairie remnants are in bloom for
much of spring, summer and fall
– Photo shoot!
• Visit the 7 Hills Brewing Company for
dinner, beer and craft cocktails with
friends and enjoy some live music
• Back to Massey for another night of
tent camping and star gazing
A D D I T I O N A L D U B U Q U E C O U N T Y H I G H L I G H T SNATIONAL MISSISSIPPI RIVER MUSEUM AND AQUARIUMPart aquarium, part museum, part science center-
their vision is to become the world’s leader in
interpreting and protecting the life, history, and culture
of our region and rivers, to create a more global,
knowledgeable, and engaged citizen. Visitors can see
a variety of animals such as the Green Sea Turtle, the
Giant Pacific Octopus, the American Alligator, and
North American River Otters (just to name a few!).
JULIEN DUBUQUE MONUMENTThis area is important historically in the Indian-
French fur trading culture and the first record of
lead mining by a French trader, Nicholas Perrot, in
1690. In 1788 Julien Dubuque was granted rights by
the Mesquakie Indians to mine their land for lead.
Dubuque settled close to the village of Kettle Chief
just south of where the Julien Dubuque Monument
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now stands. It was here that Dubuque founded the first Euro-American settlement in what is now Iowa.
EAGLE POINT PARKEagle Point Park is 164 acres overlooking the Mississippi River and Lock and Dam No. 11. It also offers stunning views of Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. President Franklin D. Roosevelt viewed the park and proclaimed (of it), “This is my idea of a worthwhile boondoggle.”
FIELD OF DREAMS MOVIE SITEA place of fertile soil, traditional values and simple pleasure. And in Dyersville, Iowa, at the century-old Lansing family farm with its quaint, and oh so recognizable house, baseball still ranks as a favorite pastime for all ages.
Field of Dreams, released in 1989, is a movie that has inspired millions and became an Academy Award nominee for “Best Picture of the Year.” Welcome to this home, this farm, this baseball field, this little piece of heaven on earth.
FIELD OF DREAMS - DYERSVILLE, IOWA
Resources: https://www.legendsofamerica.com/ia-native/https://www.cityofdubuque.org/