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.
PLATT BROTHERS COMPANY
PLATT BROTHERS COMPANY. In addition to being a popular clothing store in Dubuque, Platt Brothers has the record for having the first public display of ELECTRIC POWER. The event occurred on November 17, 1883. The Dubuque Herald stated that,"the interior of the store was as bright as noonday while the reflecting rays of the beautiful light distinctly showed every shade, color and thread of the large stock in every department."
According to the 1880 and 1883 Dubuque City Directory, this business was located at 520 Main.
The 1884-1885 Dubuque City Directory listed 520 and 522 Main as the address.