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Encyclopedia Dubuque

www.encyclopediadubuque.org

"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.




Encyclopedia Dubuque:About: Difference between revisions

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(New page: The basis of this website is a book published in 1991 entitled ''Dubuque: The Encyclopedia''. This book, written by Randolph W. Lyon for First National Bank of Dubuque, was used by the ...)
 
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The basis of this website is a book published in 1991 entitled ''Dubuque: The Encyclopedia''.  This book, written by Randolph W. Lyon for First National Bank of Dubuque, was used by the bank as a promotional item for people investing in certificates of deposit or for outright purchase.  
Welcome to the history of Dubuque, Iowa--Iowa's oldest city!  Dedicated to the history of this "Masterpiece on the Mississippi," this website is believed to be the oldest community of historians operating within the United States.  


The book was planned as a table-top reference to much of Dubuque history. Exhaustive research and interviews over five years provided the material. Editing the size of the entries and the number of photographs was necessary to keep the book of reasonable size and price.
The basis of this website was ''Dubuque: The Encyclopedia.'' Written in 1991 by Randolph W. Lyon for [[FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF DUBUQUE]] (now [http://www.usbank.com/ U.S. Bank]),  ''Dubuque: The Encyclopedia'' was designed as a table-top reference of Dubuque's history. Exhaustive research and interviews over five years provided the material. Organized in alphabetical order, the entries were quick to locate and easy to read. Editing the size of the entries and the number of photographs, however, was necessary to keep the book of reasonable size and price. Many entries offered related subjects. To indicate such sub-topics, bold face type was used. Categories of entries included academic institutions, anthropology, biography, cultural institutions, economy, geography, government, history, and tourism.


Sales of the book after it was announced were brisk.  The long-term response to the book can be measured by the Carnegie-Stout Public Library. Their copies had to be rebound from frequent use.  Over the years, the encyclopedia has frequently been cited in the local newspaper, the ''Telegraph Herald'', as a source of information.
Sales of the ''Encyclopedia''  were brisk.  Copies at the [[CARNEGIE-STOUT PUBLIC LIBRARY]] had to be rebound from frequent use.  Over the years, the ''Encyclopedia'' has frequently been cited in the local newspaper, the ''Telegraph Herald'', as a source of information.


As Dubuque reached its sesquicentennial, the Dubuque City Council announced that it would fund ten applications from local historical societies or groups with projects involving Dubuque history.  The Carnegie-Stout Library Foundation chose to apply for a grant to convert ''Dubuque: The Encyclopedia'' to an on-line format.  This would allow the entries to be updated and expanded.  It would also allow the encyclopedia to grow with new entries and pictures.
As Dubuque reached its [http://www.dubuque175.org/ sesquicentennial], the Dubuque City Council announced that it would fund ten applications from local historical societies or groups with projects involving Dubuque history.  The Carnegie-Stout Library Foundation chose to apply for a grant to convert ''Dubuque: The Encyclopedia'' to an online format.   


This grant application was approved.  
This grant application was approved.  


I would like to thank the Carnegie-Stout Library Foundation for its interest in this project. The conversion of the encyclopedia to an on-line form ensures continue growth in the volume of information available to the public about Dubuque. Available though the Internet to an international audience, the readership of this information will be increased exponentially. This offers the opportunity for additional fact checking and ex citing opportunities for the acquisition of new information and pictures.
I would like to thank the Carnegie-Stout Library Foundation for its encouragement and support of this innovative project. ''Encyclopedia Dubuque'' established the threshold for a new and exciting approach to history--a nation-wide community of historians. These people possessing valuable information and vintage photographs became able at any moment to contribute to the history of this fascinating city. Restrictions imposed by the cost of publishing disappeared. Finding an interested publisher was no longer an obstacle. History was no longer "frozen" within the pages of a book unable to be expanded. Donating materials no longer carried with it the concern that they might be buried in filing cabinets and not seen. Fact-checking and on-going revision, important elements once limited to pre-publication, became continuous operations ensuring a better product. Elements that made the printed ''Encyclopedia'' so successful remained.  


I have especially appreciated the support given to this project by Michael May of the Carnegie-Stout Library.  His foresight in realizing the potential of the grant, writing the application, and then guiding it through to its approval earns him my highest respect.  He has always been open to suggestions and has offered encouragement at every phase of this work.   
I have especially appreciated the support given to this project by Michael May of the Carnegie-Stout Library.  His foresight in realizing the potential of the grant, writing the application, and then guiding it through to its approval earns him my highest respect.  He has always been open to suggestions and has offered encouragement and insights at every phase of this work.   


My technical support came from Angela and Ransom Briggs of Iowa City.  Their knowledge of the Wiki and issues related to computers was unmatched.
My technical support came from Angela and Ransom Briggs of Iowa City.  Their knowledge of the Wiki and issues related to computers was unmatched. In addition to all the people who provided pictures and information for the book,  I would like to add my deep appreciation to Bob Reding.  Always willing to answer questions or provide material for pictures, he has been a treasure.  


In addition to all the people who provided pictures and information for the book ''Dubuque: The Encyclopedia''  I would like to add my deep appreciation to Bob Reding whose love of  Dubuque history is unmatched.  Ever willing to answer questions or provide material for pictures, he is a  treasure.
I dedicate this project to my wife, Ruth, who has enjoyed with me our life in this wonderful community and encouraged me at every moment to record its fascinating history.  
 
For all the times I had to say, "Just a minute and I'll be there" or "I need a bit more time on the computer,"  I want to thank my wife, Ruth.  I owe her everything.


Randolph W. Lyon
Randolph W. Lyon

Latest revision as of 23:51, 14 September 2008

Welcome to the history of Dubuque, Iowa--Iowa's oldest city! Dedicated to the history of this "Masterpiece on the Mississippi," this website is believed to be the oldest community of historians operating within the United States.

The basis of this website was Dubuque: The Encyclopedia. Written in 1991 by Randolph W. Lyon for FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF DUBUQUE (now U.S. Bank), Dubuque: The Encyclopedia was designed as a table-top reference of Dubuque's history. Exhaustive research and interviews over five years provided the material. Organized in alphabetical order, the entries were quick to locate and easy to read. Editing the size of the entries and the number of photographs, however, was necessary to keep the book of reasonable size and price. Many entries offered related subjects. To indicate such sub-topics, bold face type was used. Categories of entries included academic institutions, anthropology, biography, cultural institutions, economy, geography, government, history, and tourism.

Sales of the Encyclopedia were brisk. Copies at the CARNEGIE-STOUT PUBLIC LIBRARY had to be rebound from frequent use. Over the years, the Encyclopedia has frequently been cited in the local newspaper, the Telegraph Herald, as a source of information.

As Dubuque reached its sesquicentennial, the Dubuque City Council announced that it would fund ten applications from local historical societies or groups with projects involving Dubuque history. The Carnegie-Stout Library Foundation chose to apply for a grant to convert Dubuque: The Encyclopedia to an online format.

This grant application was approved.

I would like to thank the Carnegie-Stout Library Foundation for its encouragement and support of this innovative project. Encyclopedia Dubuque established the threshold for a new and exciting approach to history--a nation-wide community of historians. These people possessing valuable information and vintage photographs became able at any moment to contribute to the history of this fascinating city. Restrictions imposed by the cost of publishing disappeared. Finding an interested publisher was no longer an obstacle. History was no longer "frozen" within the pages of a book unable to be expanded. Donating materials no longer carried with it the concern that they might be buried in filing cabinets and not seen. Fact-checking and on-going revision, important elements once limited to pre-publication, became continuous operations ensuring a better product. Elements that made the printed Encyclopedia so successful remained.

I have especially appreciated the support given to this project by Michael May of the Carnegie-Stout Library. His foresight in realizing the potential of the grant, writing the application, and then guiding it through to its approval earns him my highest respect. He has always been open to suggestions and has offered encouragement and insights at every phase of this work.

My technical support came from Angela and Ransom Briggs of Iowa City. Their knowledge of the Wiki and issues related to computers was unmatched. In addition to all the people who provided pictures and information for the book, I would like to add my deep appreciation to Bob Reding. Always willing to answer questions or provide material for pictures, he has been a treasure.

I dedicate this project to my wife, Ruth, who has enjoyed with me our life in this wonderful community and encouraged me at every moment to record its fascinating history.

Randolph W. Lyon

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