Encyclopedia Dubuque
"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.
BETHANY HOME
BETHANY HOME. Retirement center for Dubuque residents. Bethany Home was founded in the early 1920s when Mrs. Christian LOETSCHER donated her home, after the death of her husband, to Reverend William C. LAUBE. Stipulations in the donation included that every building addition had to copy the distinctive MANSARD ROOF and other architectural details of the original building. In addition, until 1977, the home could not borrow money, or the donated property would revert to the Loetscher family or their heirs. This clause was changed to allow construction of the latest addition. This three million dollar project was the seventh building expansion since the original home was built in 1885.
The concept of a home for older Dubuque residents belonged to Reverend Adolf Krebs of Galena, Illinois, who died before his dream was realized. Laube carried the plans to completion. The home provides apartments, residential rooms, and an intermediate care facility.