Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
SUTTON, Nicholas
SUTTON, Nicholas (Dubuque, IA--Dubuque, IA, Oct. 10,1963). Sutton headed the Recreation Department from 1949 until his death.
A graduate of COLUMBIA COLLEGE in 1932, Sutton's experience in child guidance included work with the DUBUQUE BOYS' CLUB, Peter Cooper Recreation Center, and as a supervisor of playgrounds in Dubuque. During 1937 and the beginning of 1938, Sutton was involved with probation work at the Detroit (Michigan) Settlement House and the probate court of Midland, Michigan. He served as a Dubuque County Probation officer from 1939 to 1945 and before that as the Dubuque County Relief Director. (1)
When first becoming the director of recreation, Sutton realized that RAFFERTY FIELD was the city's primary softball field. This was sold and two fields known as MCALEECE SPORTS COMPLEX were developed. Realizing the need for more softball fields, Sutton and the Commission used money from the sale of Rafferty Field to purchase land for VETERANS' MEMORIAL PARK which also had two fields. Sutton was known for visiting the parks while they were being used to see what improvements were needed and took the responsibility of presenting trophies at tournaments. He was inducted into the DUBUQUE FAST PITCH HALL OF FAME in 1983. (2)
The new Dubuque municipal pool opened in the summer of 1990, at 1900 Hawthorne Street, was named in his honor.
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Source:
1. "Sutton To Be Named Probation Officer," Telegraph Herald, December 1, 1938, p. 1. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-tdBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8akMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3511,5124080&dq=peter+cooper+school+dubuque&hl=en
2. "Five People Will be Enshrined in City's Softball Hall of Fame," Telegraph Herald, May 23, 1982, p. 14