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.
CENTER GROVE
Center Grove. Village annexed into Dubuque. Center Grove, located in Section 27 of Dubuque Township in Dubuque County, was named for a group of cedar trees.
English immigrants arrived to mine {[LEAD]]. In 1845 William Daykin and his family arrived. Their sons, Metcalf and John, were operated the Center Grove general store for many years. Metcalf was also the postmaster. The post office remained open until January 1900 when Rural Free Delivery started at Dubuque.
Many of the people living in the area were Methodists who traveled ROCKDALE for church. In 1852 a small church was constructed and named Center Grove Methodist Church. By 1886, it was torn down and a new church was constructed on the same site. That church, Center Grove Methodist Church stands, tall on the knoll on Brunskill Road, today.
An outstanding citizen of Center Grove was Edward C. Bartels. He noticed a seven-room house with a store front located in the hollow near CATFISH CREEK. And, there was a park called Luther because it had been owned and operated by There was an open-air dance pavilion along with beer and candy stands. Bartels bought the property in 1906. When the Hawkeye Highway (old Highway 20) was built, Bartels moved the house close to the highway and rooms were rented to travelers.
Noticing summer dances were popular, Bartels built a large ballroom close to the highway - the Crystal Ballroom. The crystal ball that hung in the middle of the dance floor was made by the Bartels from a ball of wire, plaster of Paris and small six-sided mirrors. Spotlights shone on the revolving ball made sparkling lights shimmer around the ballroom. Dances drew big bands from Chicago and the East during the late 1920s through the 1940s.
Bartels eventually built cabins on the hill around the park for more travelers to rent. A community kitchen was operated, but as more cottages were added they included kitchen and bathroom facilities. His business sign read "Bartels Cabin Camp."
The ballroom, store and cabins are all gone. In 1973 Center Grove was annexed to the City of Dubuque.