What's a Terquasquicentennial? or Funny, But You Don't Look a Day Over 150

Dubuque is turning 175 years old today. Sort of.

It was on this day in 1833 that the Black Hawk Purchase Treaty went into effect & miners were now able to legally settle here.

The area now known as DBQ was originally settled by the Meshkwahkihaki (Mesquakie aka Fox). In 1788 they gave Julien Dubuque permission to mine for lead (Mines of Spain). The settlers quickly chartered a community. & soon the 1st Catholic Church was started (Now St. Raphael's Cathederal).

DBQ's age & location made it the "Key City" in the settling of the state.

Dubuque has had its ups & downs & many floods as well. It has been a film site. Ulysses S. Grant often visited here when living in Galena. & Al Capone sometimes hid out here. It has a scenic beauty that is unique. In fact, the area has been mistaken for heaven (Field of Dreams). There is an annual invasion of fish flies almost as unique. Kate Mulgrew was born here. Don Ameche is buried here. Someday we may be able to claim a saint (Venerable Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli). The Association had the Dubuque Blues. Manhatten Transfer sang about The Duke of Dubuque. The Pajama Game takes place here. Edward Albee wrote about The Lady from Dubuque. & The New Yorker dissed "the old lady in Dubuque". It has 1 of the last standing shot towers. & the 1st Heisman Trophy (Jay Berwanger). Elmer Layden, one of the "Four Horsemen" of Notre Dame coached college football here. Fr. Aloysius H. Schmitt, a hero of Pearl Harbor, attended college here. Curley "Boo" Johnson of the Harlem Globetrotters played college basketball here. It has the world's shortest railroad (Fenelon Place Elevator). & even though they are no longer made in DBQ, you can still buy a Dubuque Ham or Dubuque Plumper hot dog.

It isn't perfect, but then no place is. But it is DBQ. & it is 175 years young.

Buon 175th Compleanno Dubuque!!!!!

For more info check out the official Dubuque 175 website.