Dubuque, Iowa

Then and Now

by John T. Tigges and, James L. Shaffer

Daily change in any city can be difficult to recognize. Although everyone notices when a building is razed, it is more challenging to identify the subtle alterations occurring regularly which make a city slightly different than it was the day before. It is for precisely this reason the authors have decided to capture the changing face of Dubuque through a compelling selection of over 80 vintage images, each paired with its modern counterpart. Older residents will be able to identify many of the long-gone structures pictured in this volume, but newer arrivals will uncover a Dubuque they never knew existed. Public institutions, parks, homes, and entire blocks have been altered, and from the birth of photography to the present, these changes are documented in this volume. The physical contrasts between Dubuque's residents today and those of long ago are immediately apparent. Fashions and jobs are always evolving, but the similarities outnumber the differences. The people of Dubuque are, as always, hard-working and self-reliant, and they remain proud of their heritage and their town.

96 pages, Paperback

First published November 14, 2000

Reviews

[Tom Brennan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not properly a history, this is a look at history through the photographer's lens. It places then/now pictures side by side, including well known buildings, landmarks, streetscapes, etc. In so doing, it gives us a glimpse into where Dubuque came from. More properly, we see just how long a history this Midwestern city actually has.

The book is limited by its intent, and is rather dated being published, as near as I can tell, in the mid 1990s.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 star for those of us who live here, otherwise, it's 2. There's not much information.