Dubuque's Forgotten Cemetery: Excavating a Nineteenth-Century Burial Ground in a Twenty-first Century City

by Robin M. Lillie, Jennifer E. Mack

Atop a scenic bluff overlooking the Mississippi River and downtown Dubuque there once lay a graveyard dating to the 1830s, the earliest days of American settlement in Iowa. Though many local residents knew the property had once been a Catholic burial ground, they believed the graves had been moved to a new cemetery in the late nineteenth century in response to overcrowding and changing burial customs. But in 2007, when a developer broke ground for a new condominium complex here, the heavy machinery unearthed human bones. Clearly, some of Dubuque’s early settlers still rested there―in fact, more than anyone expected. For the next four years, staff with the Burials Program of the University of Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist excavated the site so that development could proceed.

The excavation fieldwork was just the beginning. Once the digging was done each summer, skeletal biologist Robin M. Lillie and archaeologist Jennifer E. Mack still faced the enormous task of teasing out life histories from fragile bones, disintegrating artifacts, and the decaying wooden coffins the families had chosen for the deceased. Poring over scant documents and sifting through old newspapers, they pieced together the story of the cemetery and its residents, a story often surprising and poignant. Weaving together science, history, and local mythology, the tale of the Third Street Cemetery provides a fascinating glimpse into Dubuque’s early years, the hardships its settlers endured, and the difficulties they did not survive.

While they worked, Lillie and Mack also grappled with the legal and ethical obligations of the living to the dead. These issues are increasingly urgent as more and more of America’s unmarked (and marked) cemeteries are removed in the name of progress. Fans of forensic crime shows and novels will find here a real-world example of what can be learned from the fragments left in time’s wake.

Genres: History, Archaeology, Anthropology, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2015

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do we do when the bones of people who died
from the ordinary causes of disease, accidents, and
old age appear where we do not expect them to be?
Who mediates when the living disturb the dead and,
as a consequence, the dead disrupt the plans of the
living? Because old cemeteries frequently stand in
the way of contemporary building plans, communities
across the United States must address these questions
....But beyond the legal requirements, what do
landowners, descendants, current residents, and the
involved specialists owe the dead? (loc 35)

The Third Street Cemetery in Dubuque, last active in the 19th century and long thought empty, was about to become a new development. But when digging began, the unforeseen occurred: human remains, evidence of past burials were found. Thus began a careful excavation and study under the Office of the State Archaeologist. The results are this book.

Along with the specifics of the findings from the graves, including the various possible health conditions uncovered, evidence of living conditions and migration, funeral customs, and some family histories, the authors were able to further reconstruct a few genealogical lines, evidence of culture changes, and some idea of life in the mid to late 19th century in Iowa. I found much of this fascinating. While the individual details were at times a bit overwhelming, their totality paints broad pictures of the time.

I'm also struck by the seriousness and reverence of those who work in this field and treat these people with the respect they are due.

While this book is likely not for everyone, I imagine you will recognise whether it might be for you. Do you wonder what they found? What sort of clothes remained, what sort of jewelry, if any? How were their teeth and did this indicate health conditions? There is a lot to learn. And did you know that those who emigrated from the British Isles tend not to have wisdom teeth erupted? Oh the things one can discover.

The authors also make the attempt to link a few graves to events in the city's past where able, which is exciting.

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley for the purpose of an honest review.

[Davenport Public Library Iowa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dubuque's Forgotten Cemetery unearths the history found in cemeteries specifically describing the incredible history of the land and people who found their final resting place at the Third Street Cemetery on Kelly's Bluff in Dubuque, Iowa. Cemeteries often show a cross-section of population from a particular period of time. This book covers early Dubuque history through the citizens who were interred in this Catholic cemetery. The reader learns of the various burial practices and records used in the mid to late 19th century and what is left of the burials today. The authors also describe archeological practices of researching and excavating historic and ancient burials.

Anyone interested in local Iowa history would find this book a thoughtful and interesting read. One can find this book at the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center at the Davenport Public Library (SC 977.739 LILLI ROB) and circulating copies from the Rivershare Library System Catalog (https://rivershare.polarislibrary.com...)

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to live on 5th street in Dubuque, a couple of blocks from where the 3rd street cemetery was. I passed by the place all the time, and the discovery of hundreds of remains on that property happened while I was living in the area. At the time, we found it hilariously ironic, since the developer who was trying to build on the property was a much-hated figure in the city, having already done significant damage to another part of the bluffs above Dubuque in his quest to build expensive high-rise condos with a view in a city where most of the natives couldn't afford such a luxury. There was news that archaeologists were working up on Kelly's Bluff but not much coverage after that, so I was delighted when I came across this book. The style is very academic, so not an easy read, but the book covers the background of the 3rd St. Cemetery, this history of the dig, and some of the information that they were able to discover about the people who were left forgotten up there. It's amazing how this story didn't blow up into a huge scandal, but OTOH, Dubuque is the type of place that keeps its secrets close. A fascinating read and a book I'd recommend to anyone interested in 19th century American history.

[Mary Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating!! Five stars!

[Christina LaPalm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was incredibly well researched and well explained. Jennifer Mack and Robin Lillie told their story of excavating Third Street Cemetery in an intriguing and comprehensible way. As a college student studying in Dubuque, I felt much more connected to the city and its residents after completing this novel. I learned countless new facts about the beautification of death and the lifestyles of the people who lived in 19th century Dubuque. Having met Jennifer Mack, I fully realized how much this project meant to them and how well they conveyed their passion for this excavation throughout this book. I was impressed. I do not typically read nonfiction, informational books but this one was easy to get through. I gave it four stars because it was not a genre I usually prefer; I merely struggled to find motivation to read it sometimes. I do not regret it, and I am incredibly grateful to have learned from this book in more ways than one. My perspective on cemeteries and death has altered immensely.

[Sandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is loaded facts and more but it's the history of this period that's comes out great from health myths and more I recommend this to anyone interested in Dubuques history