1996 Featured Homes Original Tour Brochure
636 West Eleventh Street
Built by Jesse P. Farley about 1848, this settlers' cottage is the only home on the tour which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Mr. Farley came to Dubuque as a lead miner but soon went into the retail business. He was one of Dubuque's early lumber barons. When the railroad came to Dubuque, he was influential in extending the CBQ line across the state. The county town of Farley was named for him.
The Friedericks purchased the home in 1994 and made some changes without detracting from the home's natural character and charm, including adding a fenced-in patio using old bricks.
The wide pine plank floors are original to the house, as are most of the unique light fixtures. Round top windows in the front room are floor to near-ceiling length. The double front doors lead to a foyer with a beautiful open walnut staircase. The built-in kitchen cupboard is original to the house. This home is small in size but huge in country charm.
596 West Eleventh Street
This vernacular brick house has had seventeen owners since it was built in 1851. Most notable was the William B. Poinsett III family, who lived here for twenty years. Mr. Poinsett was a nephew of Joel Roberts Poinsett, the U.S. minister to Mexico (1825-1829), who introduced the poinsettia plant to North America. Mrs. William Poinsett was an active civic volunteer, and as president of the Dubuque Women's Club, she invited Amelia Earhart to visit Dubuque and entertained her as a guest in the home. Another distinguished guest was Joan Mondale, who attended a luncheon in the home in 1983. Her thank-you to the former owners is displayed in the entrance foyer.
The Efkens purchased the house in 1984 and have since restored it. Most rooms have ten foot high ceilings. There are four bedrooms. One, which was once the maid's quarters, is used as a playroom. The four seasons sun porch has a built-in cupboard which used to function as a window. The kitchen has hardwood floor, an exposed brick wall, and a built-in china cupboard. A parquet inlay separates the hardwood living room and foyer floors. A gazebo was built in 1994 and looks out onto the large side yard. The Efkens have decorated the home with antiques and family treasures.
555 West Eleventh Street
This Mediternnean villa, designed by Dubuque architect Karl F. Sum, was built in 1925 for Martha and Mary McDonald, daughters of the founder of the A.Y. McDonald Manufacturing Company. The house has an expansive view of the city, river, and Wisconsin bluffs. The sisters landscaped the property with a variety of trees, shrubs, and flower gardens, some of which still remain. Kevin and Mary Kane are the home's fifth owners.
The house remains as it was originally built, with Mediterrnean accents including red gumwood bookcases and cabinetry, quarry tile, and wrought iron railings. The red oak floors on the main level have been restored and the front patio has been expanded. The south side of the property has been thoughtfully replanted in a manner consistent with the original landscaping.
1133 Highland Terrace
This rare eclectic twin house was built in 1856. Its features include both that of Italian Villa and Queen Anne styles. The exterior features bracketed eaves, arched windows, and angular or round bays. The original owner of the property was John Hancock, a well-known wholesale grocer.
The north portion of the house remains original, with its single spindled porch, 13 foot ceilings, massive moldings, and open staircase. Only the north side is on tour. In 1890, George Burden added a Queen Anne tower to the structure. At this time, he embellished the south side of the house by adding stained glass, oak and cherry hardwood, and bay windows.
The features of the north side include a cherry fireplace in the living room, an ornate oak fireplace in the master bedroom, and superb views of the city from each of these rooms.
The entire house was restored in the mid 1980's. Exterior work at this time included a new roof, six new porches modeled arter the original ones, and replacement of the belvedere or cupola. The belvedere is shared by residents of both properties. The twin house was reclaimced from apartments back into two homes, just as it had been most of its 140 years
1245 Grove Terrace
Louis G. Hurd, dean of the Dubuque County Bar and senior member of Hurd, Leneahan, Smith and O'Connor, bought the site for this home on August 27, 1886 for $500 and built a three-story home on the property. The space on the top floor was intended to be a ballroom, but had not been completed when Hurd died January 25, 1929. In the 1930's, the house was chopped-the second story was removed and the third one dropped down and the house converted to a duplex. The surplus wood was used to build a house on Mullen Street.
The house changed owners many times until purchased by the present owners in 1985. They returned it to single-family use, removed a 1930's porch, and restored the wrap around porch which had been there originally.
In an old photograph of the south side of the home, a goldfish pond was pictured. The present owners uncovered it by tearing out an old deck and have included it in their landscaping.
Former residents frequently return to visit and share memories. Several have commented on the house ghosts: a woman in white who drifts down the stairway from the third floor, and an elderly gentleman who roams the first floor and basement. These apparitions have not been seen by the present owners.