Today we'll travel back 100 years ago to the Dubuque of April 30,1920. The Telegraph-Herald's shocking front-page headline told of a family murdered in North Dakota, but our citizens were more interested in what appeared to be the end of a painful streetcar strike.
The streetcar strike finally ended the following Friday.
Many Dubuque area homes were still without the benefits of full electricity
It's fascinating to see the different automobiles available 100 years ago.
James Levi Company, then located at 7th & Main was one of Dubuque's great department stores. Levi, a masterful retailer, was one of the major stockholders in both the Dubuque Wagon Bridge and Union Electric Company. According to Encylopedia Dubuque, a tradition of the store was to invite children living in the orphanage to visit the store at Christmas to view all the toys. In 1909 when the toy department was moved to the third floor there was concern about the children safely managing the stairs so the practice was discontinued. Despite the change, gifts from the store to the children continued as in the past. Years later, the store became "Edwards Department Store.
Roshek Brothers, then located at 8th & Main, was another major retailer. Stampfer did not advertise in this issue of the paper.
On this weekend, Dubuque's theaters were all showing movies, although both the Grand and Majestic still prominently featured live entertainment, too.
The University of Dubuque "Glee Club" was preparing for a concert.
Galena was preparing for the annual celebration of Grant's Birthday.
Many households used the piano as a primary source of entertainment so the Renior House of Music was promoting a large variety of brands.
And, apparently, there was a market for "Malted Milk Bread."
The Twenties had not yet begun to "roar" in Dubuque. The only large active ballroom was at Center Grove (now the location of The Bike Shack/Shoe Shack). where Harry Kopple's orchestra would be entertaining. Meanwhile, At Schmidt's Hall (location unknown) the Hesseling Orchestra presented a Waltz competition.
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