As the “Roaring Twenties” continued approaching the year 1929 there was a flush of economic optimism. Here locally in the Key City, Dubuque joined in on that bravado sweeping the nation in the late 1920s. At the same time, this ballyhoo before the “Crash of ‘29”, coincided with Dubuque preparing for its Centennial. Dubuque was flourishing in 1928. The City of Dubuque and Dubuque County had a greater spendable monetary income per capita for the year 1928 than any other municipality in Iowa.
City leaders and business promoters touted the rail and barge facility to the south which was upgraded and expanded (the former complex is the location of the proposed 21st Century South Port recreational area). Also, another form of transportation, the new aviation industry was becoming popular. Things looked bright for Dubuque’s financial coffers, including the wherewithal to finance the City’s planned 100-year celebration.
At the same time Chamber officials consulted Dubuque historians for the imminent Centennial to coincide with these prosperous times. One of whom was the Catholic Priest, Mathias M. Hoffmann. He had penned the book, Antique Dubuque circa 1929. Sources indicate that the lead mining camp of Dubuque leaped out of the starting gates on June 1, 1833. This was when the miners could legally cross the Mississippi River from the east side of the river.
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