Parkhistory
The idea for the park was conceived in 1907 when Charles M.
Robinson, a noted eastern park specialist, visited Dubuque.
After touring scenic locations in the city, Robinson made this
comment to his hosts: “I have never seen a place where the
Almighty has done more and mankind less, than Dubuque.”
Most of his listeners were hurt by the remark, but one person
decided to do something about it. He was Judge Oliver
Shiras, one of Dubuque’s leading citizens.
E
agle Point Park is one of the most outstanding parks in the Midwest. One
hundred sixty-four acres overlook the Mississippi River and Lock & Dam #11,
providing a spectacular tri-state view of Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin.
Eagle Point Park is located at 2601 Shiras Avenue. Travel north on Rhomberg Avenue to
Shiras Avenue and turn west on Shiras to the park entrance. Admission is $1.00 per car,
$5.00 per bus. The park is open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 7 a.m.
to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday, from the first Saturday in May through the fourth Sunday
in October.
Pavilions* are available for rental, and
reservations can be made online at www.cityofdubuque.org/parks or by
calling the Leisure Services Department
at 563- 589-4263. Other facilities
include picnic areas, rest rooms, tennis
courts, spray fountain, fish pond, viewing
tower, playground equipment, horseshoe
courts, band shell, and multipurpose
green area.
*Accessible pavilions and rest rooms are
indicated on map on reverse side.
EAGLE
POINT
PARK
est. 1909
A citizen committee was formed in April of 1908, and Judge
Shiras was elected chairperson. In June of 1908, with aid
from the Civic Division of the Dubuque Women’s Club, 100
acres were purchased from A.L. Rhomberg. The property was
then deeded to the City and became Eagle Point Park. Since
the original purchase, 17 parcels have been purchased or
donated, which brings the park to its present size.
Streetcar traffic began to serve the park in 1912. Union
Electric Company constructed the track, turnaround and
waiting station in the area at the park entrance where the
eagle statue and flower beds are located. In 1920, a bathing
beach was constructed, but closed when the lock and dam
was built in December, 1933.
The park took on a new look in the 1930s when the City hired
Park Superintendent Alfred Caldwell. A $200,000 Works
Progress Administration (W.P.A.) grant was received, and the
gifted landscape architect began work. His love of Frank
Lloyd Wright prairie architecture is very recognizable in the
buildings and gardens. Caldwell’s exceptional use of native
construction materials, craftsmanship and unique designs
make the park one of the most beautiful in the Midwest.
www.cityofdubuque.org/eaglepointpark
Leisure Services Department
2200 Bunker Hill Road
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
Phone: 563-589-4263
E-mail: [email protected]
Park
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RIVERFRONT PAVILION
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BAND SHELL
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BRIDGE COMPLEX
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TRI-STATE VIEW PAVILION
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Riverfront Pavilion, built in 1910, is the
LEGEND
TROLLEY LINE TRAIL
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PAVILION ( s indicates
accessible pavilion)
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The Log Cabin Pavilion was constructed in 1939
with funds from the National Youth Administration.
It overlooks Dubuque’s Point area and downtown.
FISH POND
The rock garden and fish pond were also built
as part of the W.P.A. project, and are made of
limestone. A handicapped accessible walk extends
north from the riverfront pavilion to the fish pond,
avoiding the steep rock steps along the way.
TENNIS COURT
HORSESHOE PITS
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SHIRA
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PLAY AREA
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oldest pavilion in the park. Riverview walk was
constructed in 1950 and quickly became the
most popular area in the park. Viewing towers are
available to the public, showcasing the panoramic
view of Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois and Mississippi
River Lock & Dam #11. The Shiras Memorial
Pavilion is located at the walkway’s end and was
built in 1921, in honor of Judge Oliver Shiras, the
person most responsible for the park’s creation.
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TERRACE ROOM
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The Terrace Room, Veranda Rooms, Indian
Room and Bridge Complex were built in
the 1930s as a W.P.A. project during the Great
Depression.
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The spray fountain is open during park hours,
weather permitting, for children 10 and younger.
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OPEN AIR PAVILION
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INDIAN ROOM
SHIRAS MEMORIAL
PAVILION
EAGLE’S VIEW PAVILION
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The park entrance road extends from the toll
booth for a quarter of a mile. A turnaround was
constructed in 1912 as streetcars brought citizens
from downtown. On that spot today a large eagle
statue and circular flower bed welcome you to
Eagle Point Park.
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features
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LOG CABIN PAVILION