A dream unrealized....

Eagle Point Park, from the City of Dubuque webpage:

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.

A citizen's 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's Women's Club, one hundred acres were purchased from A.L. Rhomberg. The property was then deeded to the city and became Eagle Point Park. Since the original purchase, seventeen 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 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 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.

Here is the original 1936 plan for the Eagle Point Park "public pavilion," complete with a community kitchen, stage (with dressing rooms), and the planned Bandshell.  The latter is the only portion of the project to be completed (so to speak):

And here is the original floor plan.  Difficult to discern is the fact that this facility is massive, hundreds of feet long.

Obviously, given the topography of the area and the fact that the bandshell is pointing outward, the location is difficult to imagine.  What I would long to ponder, however, is the kind of facility we would enjoy today if the last throes of a depression and a World War hadn't gotten in the way.

Still, wouldn't it be nice to have a roof?

"The Shed," Tanglewood