2003 Featured Homes Original Tour Brochure
1105 Highland Place
Dr. John T. Hancock, a Harvard-trained Bostonian surgeon, built this residence in 1910. He was not related to the Dubuque Hancock of mercantile fame, but migrated to the area at the turn of the century. His family often vacationed in Mexico. This influence can be seen in the house which incorporates Spanish international architecture. This house was built on the site of a razed Second Empire home similar to the one that stands behind it on 11th Street. The old foundation was utilized. Rock walls, which comprise the three terraces, were also taken from the original structure.
John and Cheryl Whalen purchased the home in 1980 and restoration has been on-going for years. The restoration process has revealed quality materials used during the construction. Water pipes are brass, and the electrical wiring is run in conduit. The open staircase is walnut and the library is paneled in mahogany. Original ceramic floors remain in both sunrooms. Parquet floors grace the entry and kitchen. The modern kitchen was added in a space that previously was four small rooms. A screened porch was added to the back of the home in 1986. The beautiful garden areas surrounding this home were developed by Cheryl Whalen through her landscaping business, "7 Bluffs," which she has owned with her son Tony Norby since 1995.
1203 Grove
Constructed for Dubuque lumber baron William Harrison Day, Sr. in 1886, this Queen Anne Victorian house reflects the changing tastes of the day with interiors featuring more simple, open and flexible spaces. The Day House features the extensive use of fine hardwood. Lovely cherry is seen in the four pillars on the main floor and the handcrafted staircase to the second floor. Stained maple and pine trim are seen in other areas. Hardwood and parquet flooring is complimented by the extensive use of Oriental carpets in the formal rooms on the main floor of the home. Encaustic and geometric floor tiles are in higher traffic areas such as the side hall and master bath.
The fireplace in the living room is composed of red brick contrasting with the ornate mosaic tile designs used on the dining room fireplace. This home has undergone many changes over the years. In the 1970s it was divided into an apartment complex. In the 1980s, it became a bed and breakfast. In the early 1990s the house was restored as a single-family residence. The quality craftsmanship of this Queen Anne is exceeded only by the spectacular views of historic downtown Dubuque, the Mississippi River and the bluffs of Wisconsin and Illinois afforded by the wraparound porch.
1295 Prairie
Research has not yet revealed the exact date this house was built although some city records give the date as 1871. It seems likely Susan Lawrence, who took title to the property in 1856, built the house before then. In 1863 she sold the property to Gideon T. Stewart, proprietor of the Daily Times. Dubuque city directories for 1863 and 1865 note him living "on the bluff" and "on McDaniel's Hill."
In 1880 the house was purchased by James Wallis and immediately presented to his son and daughter-in-law, John W. and Mary Burton Wallis, as a wedding present. The home remained in the Wallis family until 1947. Former owners believe that architect A.O. Holland may have designed this home based on similarities with the home he designed at 1298 Mt. Pleasant. Major additions took place in 1880, 1899, 1900, 1904 and 1910. Roger and Paula Stenlund purchased the home in 1982 and spent the next 18 years restoring the home to its former glory. Among other projects they added a double garage in 1992 followed by a family room/sunroom with adjoining walkway in 1993.
The current owners purchased the home in 2002 and are slowly filling it with art, family heirlooms and antiques. They will also focus on the exterior of the home and extensive work on the surrounding lawn and gardens.
561 Jefferson
Architect Fridolin Heer designed this Colonial Revival home that was built in 1903 by Anthony F. Heeb, a Dubuque businessman who owned and operated the Heeb Brewing Company. When Prohibition forced the closing of the brewery Mr. Heeb had to empty all the filled amber glass beer bottles. However, he recycled some of these by incorporating their bottoms into two leaded glass windows on the first floor of the home.
The FitzGerald's purchased the home in April 2002 from Hillcrest Family Services, which had been operating it as a girls' home called "Riverview," since the large wraparound porch offers a lovely view of the city and Mississippi River. There is high quality woodwork throughout the house including inlaid parquet floors, solid oak pocket doors, oak columns and a beautiful banister running up the front staircase. The living room features a very unusual fireplace that is decorated inside with an embossed metal scene depicting Indians setting up camp along the river. Its original built-in oak china cabinet with beveled glass and decorative oak beams along the ceiling highlight the formal dining room. The large windows offer incredible light throughout the house.
The second story includes six bedrooms and two baths as well as a walk-up attic that had served as a billiard room. Today the FitzGeralds continue the process of renovating and preserving this lovely home.
485 Arlington
Originally built as part of the A. McDaniel subdivision, 485 Arlington now anchors a corner of the Eleventh Street Historical District. The basement level of this vernacular style Victorian home was built around 1860. This foundation, built into the hillside, was a miner's shack. It boasts three-foot thick limestone walls.
The main and upper floors were added in the 1880s and feature examples of Victorian millwork in the cornices above the interior doorways and windows as well as in the stairway banister and spindles.
Originally the house was sided in brown clapboard with fish scale shingles decorating the peaks. The exterior was covered by asbestos and cement siding during the 1950s. Until recently 1950s decor also adorned the interior of the house. Jan Oswald, former owner of the Mandolin Inn, purchased the vacant house in 1999 and spent eleven arduous months renovating the interior. Today elements of contemporary and Victorian design add to this home's uniqueness.
Included in the restoration projects were major foundation work and restoring flooring. Original millwork was renovated and the kitchen was completely remodeled. A two-car garage was also added. However, the view overlooking downtown Dubuque was left unspoiled and can now be appreciated from all three floors of this remarkable home.