Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
MINES OF SPAIN STATE RECREATIONAL AREA: Difference between revisions
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[[LYONS, Edwin B.|Edwin B. LYONS]], a Dubuque business man and conservationist, left provisions in his will to develop an interpretive center and nature preserve for the city of Dubuque. Two years after his death, the Lyons Trust Fund purchased the farmland originally known as the Otto Junkermann farm with the assistance of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. (3) Dedicated in 1981, it was was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1993. (4) | [[LYONS, Edwin B.|Edwin B. LYONS]], a Dubuque business man and conservationist, left provisions in his will to develop an interpretive center and nature preserve for the city of Dubuque. Two years after his death, the Lyons Trust Fund purchased the farmland originally known as the Otto Junkermann farm with the assistance of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. (3) Dedicated in 1981, it was was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1993. (4) | ||
The 1,439-acre area south of Dubuque contains five sites that were added to the [[NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES]] during 1989. One area contains one hundred sixteen prehistoric sites including rock shelters, villages and mounds covering more than eight thousand years. Another area contains remnants of the [[LEAD MINING]] techniques used in the 1800s. A third site contains valuable evidence of the mid-19th century [[LUMBER INDUSTRY]]. There are also farm outbuildings and artifacts that provide clues to local farming practices. A fourth site, of particular Dubuque interest, includes the Dubuque trading post and the [[MESKWAKIES]]. The last site chosen for its unique informational and historic value was the [[JULIEN DUBUQUE MONUMENT]]. This was listed, according to the State Historical Society of Iowa, because the tower was a fine example of ''boosterism'' in the 19th century. While much of the original timber along the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]] was logged off during the steamboat era, portions of the Mines of Spain Area were left untouched, leaving burr oak trees today that are over 250 years old. (5) | [[Image:minesofspain.png|left|thumb|350px|]]The 1,439-acre area south of Dubuque contains five sites that were added to the [[NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES]] during 1989. One area contains one hundred sixteen prehistoric sites including rock shelters, villages and mounds covering more than eight thousand years. Another area contains remnants of the [[LEAD MINING]] techniques used in the 1800s. A third site contains valuable evidence of the mid-19th century [[LUMBER INDUSTRY]]. There are also farm outbuildings and artifacts that provide clues to local farming practices. A fourth site, of particular Dubuque interest, includes the Dubuque trading post and the [[MESKWAKIES]]. The last site chosen for its unique informational and historic value was the [[JULIEN DUBUQUE MONUMENT]]. This was listed, according to the State Historical Society of Iowa, because the tower was a fine example of ''boosterism'' in the 19th century. While much of the original timber along the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]] was logged off during the steamboat era, portions of the Mines of Spain Area were left untouched, leaving burr oak trees today that are over 250 years old. (5) | ||
More controversial was a proposed 1.2-mile road through part of the Mines of Spain planned by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The DNR claimed the proposed road would be constructed of earth tone or light brown asphalt to blend with the environment and that a limestone bridge would be designed to appear old. Conservation groups, including the Dubuque County Conservation Society, claimed that such a road would harm the beauty of the region, parts of which have been accessible only on foot. | More controversial was a proposed 1.2-mile road through part of the Mines of Spain planned by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The DNR claimed the proposed road would be constructed of earth tone or light brown asphalt to blend with the environment and that a limestone bridge would be designed to appear old. Conservation groups, including the Dubuque County Conservation Society, claimed that such a road would harm the beauty of the region, parts of which have been accessible only on foot. | ||
Revision as of 04:06, 30 December 2015
MINES OF SPAIN STATE RECREATIONAL AREA. The earliest known inhabitants of the Mines of Spain State Recreation Area during historical times were the MESKWAKIES. Their village was located at the mouth of CATFISH CREEK. They worked LEAD mines in the area for decades before the Revolutionary War and traded furs with the French. (1)
Julien DUBUQUE settled here in 1788. In 1796, Dubuque received a land grant from the Governor of Spain giving him permission to work the land which was owned by Spain. The 189-square mile area was named the "Mines of Spain." (2)
Edwin B. LYONS, a Dubuque business man and conservationist, left provisions in his will to develop an interpretive center and nature preserve for the city of Dubuque. Two years after his death, the Lyons Trust Fund purchased the farmland originally known as the Otto Junkermann farm with the assistance of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. (3) Dedicated in 1981, it was was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1993. (4)
The 1,439-acre area south of Dubuque contains five sites that were added to the NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES during 1989. One area contains one hundred sixteen prehistoric sites including rock shelters, villages and mounds covering more than eight thousand years. Another area contains remnants of the LEAD MINING techniques used in the 1800s. A third site contains valuable evidence of the mid-19th century LUMBER INDUSTRY. There are also farm outbuildings and artifacts that provide clues to local farming practices. A fourth site, of particular Dubuque interest, includes the Dubuque trading post and the MESKWAKIES. The last site chosen for its unique informational and historic value was the JULIEN DUBUQUE MONUMENT. This was listed, according to the State Historical Society of Iowa, because the tower was a fine example of boosterism in the 19th century. While much of the original timber along the MISSISSIPPI RIVER was logged off during the steamboat era, portions of the Mines of Spain Area were left untouched, leaving burr oak trees today that are over 250 years old. (5)
More controversial was a proposed 1.2-mile road through part of the Mines of Spain planned by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The DNR claimed the proposed road would be constructed of earth tone or light brown asphalt to blend with the environment and that a limestone bridge would be designed to appear old. Conservation groups, including the Dubuque County Conservation Society, claimed that such a road would harm the beauty of the region, parts of which have been accessible only on foot.
In 1989 the DUBUQUE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE endorsed the idea of road construction claiming that it would provide improved access for the general public and management crews. The Chamber further explained its belief that 80 percent of the planned route would be constructed along existing roadbeds leaving 80 percent of the Mines of Spain, including hiking trails, away from the road. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources said the road would precede other improvements such as improving parking lots, restoring a trapper's cabin and mines, building canoe access areas, and shoring up the Julien Dubuque monument.
On September 8, 1989, United States District Judge David Hansen accepted a federal magistrate ruling denying an injunction on construction of the road. Dubuque County Conservation Society claimed an environmental impact study was needed before a road in that area was built. Hansen found there would be no change in the use of the area or no federal participation in the design, engineering or construction of the road.
In 2006 the Mines of Spain Recreation Area was designated one of the Silos and Smokestacks Historic Area sites. Silos and Smokestacks is a 37-county region in Northeastern Iowa. A federally designated National Heritage Area, it is an Affiliated Area of the National Park Service. In addition to the designation, the Friends of the Mines of Spain received a grant of $2362.00 from the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area. This grant, matched by the organization, was to be used to upgrade exhibits at the center about the history of farming in the park. (6)
In 2012 the recreation area claimed many designations. It was declared a state Watchable Wildlife Area and an important Bird Area with more than 213 species having been identified within its borders. The National Wildlife Federation named it one of their "nature areas." (7) It was also designated as the Julien Dubuque National Historic Landmark and the Catfish Creek State Preserve for its 252 identified archaeological sites. (8) The E. B. LYONS INTERPRETATIVE CENTER serves as the visitor center and park headquarters. (9)
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Source:
1. America's State Parks. "Mines of Spain State Recreation Area and E. B. Lyons Interpretive Center," Online: http://www.americasstateparks.org/Iowa/park/Mines-of-Spain-State-Recreation-Area-and-E.-B.-Lyons-Interpretive-Center/771
2. "Mines of Spain," Online: http://www.minesofspain.org/
3. Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Online: http://www.iowadnr.gov/Destinations/StateParksRecAreas/IowasStateParks/ParkDetails.aspx?ParkID=9&idAdminBoundary=200
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
6. "Mines of Spain Receives Designation and Grant," Julien's Journal, April 2006, p. 70
7. The Free Dictionary. "Mines of Spain State Recreation Area," Online: http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Mines+of+Spain+State+Recreation+Area
8. "Mines of Spain Receives Designation and Grant,"
9. O'Gara, Anita. "Mines of Spain: Decades in the Making," Julien's Journal February 2012, p. 46