2006 Featured Homes Original Tour Brochure
505 English Lane
The original 1847 abstract entry for this property (then containing 200 acres) lists purchase by George L. Nightingale. Eighteen days later, George and Mary Peacock secured 9.1 of those acres and set up a homestead, building this miner's cottage, which is most likely constructed of native brick and limestone. John McKenzie purchased the property in 1852 and sold off some of the acreage to area miners. He finally sold the house and its remaining 7.57 acres in 1875 to Valentine Minges, a gardener. The Minges family remained until 1924 when they sold to Dr. John and Lillian Kassmeyer, who willed the home to Lillian's niece, Anne Kirk, in 1968.
An addition was made at some unknown point. Evidence of it is a basement that extends only under part of the house and contains a stairway leading nowhere. Also intriguing is a window on the main floor in what is now a closet. Time and circumstance have led to a change in approach to the house as well: the back porch was originally the front porch. The home changed hands five times since the death of the widow Kirk in 1985, with Cathy Goodman buying it in 2001. Cathy has transformed the house's interior to better suit her eclectic taste. Hardwood floors have been added or restored. The porch has been sectioned off to hide laundry facilities and provide much-needed storage, and energy-efficient windows (that aren't painted shut!) have been installed in the main dwelling. You may find the color scheme in keeping with her West Third Street house, which was on the Tour in 1997, making Cathy the first person to have two different homes featured on the Old House Enthusiasts' Tour.
845 Southern Ave
Southern Avenue, once known as Whiskey Hill, is one of the oldest streets in Dubuque. The incline of what was then just a dirt trail was so steep and treacherous that in 1861 complaints from travelers finally convinced the city to widen and pave it. The city had to again address public concerns in 1921 by softening the grade to its present slope. The "Whiskey Hill" name dates from around the 1840's. There are many colorful versions of how the road received its name, but most versions involve a farmer bringing provisions uphill from town. The unfortunate gentleman discovers when he reaches the crest at Boundary Road (now Grandview Avenue) that he has lost a barrel of whiskey along the way - either draining out because of a lost plug or by the barrel itself falling off the back of his wagon.
When this warm, cozy cottage was built by Miss Elsa Ulbrich in 1941, there was still direct access down Southern Avenue to the Mississippi River. The lovely wooded area behind the house reminds us of the secluded setting that the cottage must have once enjoyed. The house is stunningly original - it has retained all the original siding, shutters, windows, hardware and fireplace. The interior layout remains the same as well. The original oak floors were refinished by the current owner.
The present owner has lived in the house since 1997. She has lovingly decorated the cheerful and bright home with an eclectic style into which she has incorporated some family heirlooms. Some of the lampshades and a few of the watercolors that populate the home are her own work. One of the few changes that she has made includes a generous deck off the back of the house from which to enjoy the sylvan setting.
999 South Grandview Ave
Situated on a generous, rolling lot, this attractive brick structure demonstrates a variety of influences: The clay tile roof evokes the Spanish Revival Movement, while the simple, yet elegant brackets and curved roof supports over the front porch, and the low swooping rooflines and horizontal dormer on the main roof are powerful indicators of the Craftsman Style. It was built in 1911by the Conlon family, whose descendents now operate Conlon Construction. A six-car garage (at that time) was added by the Alphonse Burgmeier family when they purchased the property in the early 1950s. They built the structure as storage for their trucking company. The Burgmeier family had nine children. Other residents of note were the Dr. O'Brien family. He was an obstetrician who sadly died very young, leaving his widow with seven children. Also the home was owned by the Wharton family for two years in the 1940s.
The current owners purchased the home in 1978. The first task they set for themselves prior to moving in was to remove all the carpeting and refinish all of the original hardwood floors. They finally moved in - following the Blizzard of February 1979 - through a foot of snow. In 1980 they undertook another ambitious project where they laid 3300 street paving bricks, ninety-seven railroad ties, and hauled in seventeen loads of black dirt to create the backyard patio and gardens. They further developed this lovely refuge by added a gazebo in 1989. The last exterior beautification project was building the deck off of the master bedroom in 1991. They have furnished the home captivatingly with a wonderful collection of antiques and art.
1766 Plymouth Court
This comfortable Cape Cod cottage with Dutch Colonial influences was originally built in 1940 by Ike Loetscher of the legendary Dubuque millwork and lumber supply company of Farley-Loetscher. One rumor that has been passed down from the Loetscher era is that they actually owned a pet monkey that was so beloved, it was buried in the backyard in a silver casket!
The present owners purchased the home in 1994. Their relative purchased the home from the Loetschers in 1983 and some of her furniture and photographs may be found in the house today. The commodious stair landing, with its inviting bench seating, has been set aside as a photo gallery of family photographs that also reads like the history of Dubuque! The house is laid out in the traditional Colonial Revival floor plan with a central hall and stair flanked by the living room with central fireplace on one side and the dining room and kitchen on the other. Three bedrooms and a bath currently occupy the second floor. The maid's room even retains the original corner sink. Renowned local designer, Lassie Adams, decorated the house in the 80s with a timeless style, remnants of which still exist today. The current English antique furniture blends seamlessly into the flavor of the home.
Although the current owners have done some extensive restoration, much of the work is unseen - insulation, rewiring, etc. - so the house retains its original charm, including the kitchen. Several visible project included hand restoring the hardwood floors and replacing the roof. One prior alteration involved enclosing a porch to create additional living space on the main level. Future plans include an extension
1755 Overview Court
Named for its yellow stucco exterior, The Yellow House is a charming Arts & Crafts, Mission-Style home constructed in 1926- 1927 by Rudolph & Elizabeth Jones. Research indicates that the architect was probably Karl Saam. Originally part of the City of Dubuque's Rudolph Jones Subdivision dating back to 1847, the first landowners were George and Martha Nightingale. Over the course of the next eighty years, this tract of land exchanged title over fifteen times. Previous residents include Ellen Rider Knowlton, Gertrude & Peter Karberg, Robert & Elizabeth Halleck, Anthony & Mary Rhomberg, Margaret Westerfield, and Larry & Sally McMullen.
The McMullens purchased The Yellow House in 1997, and proceeded to renovate and update the original kitchen, bathrooms, and outside porch. The main body of the house remains in its original condition, with a mahogany staircase embracing the entrance. Typical to that period, the staircase separates the formal dining and living areas. Unique, however, is that every room features an adjoining room. For example, on the second floor, each bedroom has an adjacent sitting room, as does the main living room. The McMullens enhanced the dining area by adding a four seasons room to the exterior of the house. It overlooks the DGCC's golf course and offers picture postcard views all day long, especially at sunset. The addition involved building a new basement foundation, and, as a result, an enlarged outside porch was constructed. An improved, double garage was also erected.
The current owner, Susan Farber, has plans to further update and renovate The Yellow House. As you tour this delightful home, furnished with a collection of antiques from Europe and Japan, take time to review the drawings developed by Jeff Morton, Architect.