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.
ALLISON-HENDERSON PARK
ALLISON-HENDERSON PARK. Bounded by Loras Boulevard, University Avenue, Nowata Street and Grandview Avenue, the park honors William B. ALLISON and David B. HENDERSON, two of Dubuque's most illustrious citizens. The movement to honor these men began in 1908 with an association formed to collect funds to purchase land along the river for a park. By 1913 the goal of $10,000 was reached. The M. H. McCarthy estate was purchased for $9,000 while the association relied on the city council to commit an additional $2,500. The council, however, rejected the park idea due to its cost and the potential need of more dock and harbor space.
The memorial association transferred the deed to land surrounding the SHOT TOWER to the city on August 26, 1916. Under the agreement, the council had the option of using this property for other than municipal purposes if four-fifths of the land's appraised value was devoted to the purchase of another site for a memorial park. In 1940 the city exercised its option on the riverfront site. Four-fifths of the value of the land was used to purchase the Bush property where Allison-Henderson Park is now located.