Encyclopedia Dubuque
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DUBUQUE CUSTOM HOUSE AND POST OFFICE: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:dubuquecustom.gif|left|thumb|250px|Dubuque Custom House and Post Office]]DUBUQUE CUSTOM HOUSE AND POST OFFICE. One of the first post offices west of the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]]. Through the tireless efforts of Senator George W. JONES an act of Congress in 1858 made Dubuque an official Port of Entry. | [[Image:dubuquecustom.gif|left|thumb|250px|Dubuque Custom House and Post Office]]DUBUQUE CUSTOM HOUSE AND POST OFFICE. One of the first post offices west of the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]]. Through the tireless efforts of Senator [[JONES, George W.|George W. JONES]] an act of Congress in 1858 made Dubuque an official Port of Entry. | ||
In late 1858 construction on the building was started at the corner of Ninth and Locust [[STREETS]]. Designed by Ely S. Parker, a former colonel on the staff of Ulysses S. Grant. The Custom House and Post Office was completed in 1866 at a cost of $175,000 or almost double the original estimate due to interruptions caused by an economic panic and later by the [[CIVIL WAR]]. Cut limestone, supplied by [[HAM, Mathias|Mathias HAM]], was said to have come from the ruined Mormon Temple at Nauvoo, Illinois. | In late 1858 construction on the building was started at the corner of Ninth and Locust [[STREETS]]. Designed by Ely S. Parker, a former colonel on the staff of Ulysses S. Grant. The Custom House and Post Office was completed in 1866 at a cost of $175,000 or almost double the original estimate due to interruptions caused by an economic panic and later by the [[CIVIL WAR]]. Cut limestone, supplied by [[HAM, Mathias|Mathias HAM]], was said to have come from the ruined Mormon Temple at Nauvoo, Illinois. | ||
Revision as of 05:28, 22 February 2009
DUBUQUE CUSTOM HOUSE AND POST OFFICE. One of the first post offices west of the MISSISSIPPI RIVER. Through the tireless efforts of Senator George W. JONES an act of Congress in 1858 made Dubuque an official Port of Entry.
In late 1858 construction on the building was started at the corner of Ninth and Locust STREETS. Designed by Ely S. Parker, a former colonel on the staff of Ulysses S. Grant. The Custom House and Post Office was completed in 1866 at a cost of $175,000 or almost double the original estimate due to interruptions caused by an economic panic and later by the CIVIL WAR. Cut limestone, supplied by Mathias HAM, was said to have come from the ruined Mormon Temple at Nauvoo, Illinois.
When completed, the building housed the offices of the U.S. District Court, Surveyor of Customs and the Post Office. E. Spottswood was the first Surveyor of Customs. Tea, one of the principal products imported through Dubuque, came primarily to the MCFADDEN COFFEE AND SPICE COMPANY and the firm of John T. Hancock and Sons. Other imports included tobacco from Havana, Cuba; gin from Belgium; and paper bags from Japan.
In 1921 city officials discussed purchasing the building as a replacement for the DUBUQUE CITY HALL. During the Great Depression, the federal government, in the interest of economy, consolidated many customhouses. The Port of Dubuque was closed in 1933. The building was demolished in 1947 to allow construction of the Northwestern Bell Telephone Company offices. (Photo Courtesy: http://www.dubuquepostcards.com)