Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
HILL STREET AND WEST DUBUQUE STEAM RAILWAY COMPANY
HILL STREET AND WEST DUBUQUE STEAM RAILWAY COMPANY. The promoter of the idea, Julius K. GRAVES, joined with Solon LANGWORTHY, Edward LANGWORTHY, Henry B. GLOVER, and Robert Hutcheson COLLIER in April 1877, to discuss the construction of a railway up the bluffs by way of Hill Street. One of the selling points was its expected financial savings over horse-drawn cars. According to calculations made at the time, a steam car cost $5.51 to operate while a horse-drawn car cost $8.53. (1)
The Company was organized and articles of incorporation were filed on April 16, 1877. (2) This was followed by a petition filed with the City Council for an ordinance granting right-of-way. The road began at the corner of Main and Eighth STREETS before moving west on Eighth to Hill Street and then on to Third, Alpine, and finally to Julien Avenue and Broad Street which was the terminus until July 3, 1879 when an extension was completed to the Western Brewery.
Given a franchise by the city, the company, with its depot at Eighth and Main, laid its tracks down the middle of the street. The trial test of the operation was made on July 12, 1877. The initial reaction to the railway was very positive with 1,500 people being carried on the first Sunday of its operation and, according to the Dubuque Herald, the engine being able to climb the bluff without problem. (3) The first regular train started from Main Street two days later. On July 18, 1877 the Dubuque Herald was already reporting that a rumor suggested the street railway would be continued to Cascade. (4)
An unusual article appeared in Dubuque Herald in early August. It reported that a representative of the Baldwin Locomotive Works had returned to the company with news of the success of the engine for the Hill Street railway. The company reported being gratified and surprised thinking that the engine could not handle so steep a grade. (5) The Herald reported that on July 29th the railway had carried by actual count 1,580 passengers and made nineteen round trips. (6)
Its one engine, however, began having difficulty climbing the hills. On August 8, 1877 the engine stalled near the DIAMOND HOUSE while attempting the climb the hill. Less steam than usual was being because there was a light load. When the train began sliding backwards, the riders jumped off. After the rails were sanded, the engine was again able to resume its route. (7) It was later discovered that the slippage had been due to several "bad boys" who covered the rails with grease and oil "just for fun." (8)
Unable to stay on schedule, the line was called the "Steam Dummy." The Herald quickly refuted this name claiming that "she speaks loud going up grade, and rattles like any other train of cars. (9)
Threatened with the suspension of their charter, the Company attempted improvements without result. In 1884 the company pulled up its tracks and left for the flat lands of Florida.
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Source:
1. "The Hill Street and West Dubuque Railway," Dubuque Herald, May 27, 1877, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18770527&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
2. "Caught on the Fly," Dubuque Herald, April 17, 1877, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18770417&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
3. "Caught on the Fly," Dubuque Herald, July 17, 1877, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18770717&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
4. "Caught on the Fly," Dubuque Herald, July 18, 1877, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18770718&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
5. "Caught on the Fly," Dubuque Herald, August 1, 1877. p. 4, Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18770801&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
6. "Caught on the Fly," Dubuque Herald, July 19, 1877, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18770718&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
7. "Caught on the Fly," Dubuque Herald, August 9, 1877, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18770809&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
8. "Caught on the Fly," Dubuque Herald, August 10, 1877, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18770810&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
8. "Caught on the Fly, Dubuque Herald, August 3, 1877, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18770803&printsec=frontpage&hl=en