Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
BICENTENNIAL BOULDER
BICENTENNIAL BOULDER. An enormous boulder along South Locust Street became a "canvas" for two WAHLERT CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL students in 1974. The seniors, Guy Green and David Kalb, wanted to do something special in honor of the bicentennial of the United States in 1976.
They began painting the boulder, but stopped when police arrived. Securing permission to continue their project, the painted a mural of silhouetted downtown Dubuque landmarks, a sunset against a blue sky, and a massive bluff. Along the edge of the boulder they painted "1776 to 1976" and at the bottom "Dubuque, a Bicentennial City. Guy + Dave, 8-13-74.
In 1987 Frank Murray, the Public Works director, stated that the rock was an obstacle and posed a potential liability. It was announced that because the boulder had no historic importance it would be destroyed along with some houses and businesses to clear the way for U. S. 61.
The boulder was destroyed by dynamite in 1989.
---
Source:
"Limestone Mural Was Destroyed in 1989 to Pave the Way of U.S. 61, Telegraph Herald, June 26, 2007