This Near-Vertical Railway Was Built by a Former Senator Who Hated Walking Up the Hill to His Home

Fenelon Place Elevator, Iowa

The Fenelon Place Elevator (or Fourth Street Elevator) is basically a cable car that goes up a steep hill in Dubuque. It’s only 296 feet long but takes you up 189 feet from Fourth Street to Fenelon Place.

At the top, you get to see downtown Dubuque, the Mississippi River, and parts of three states—Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Here’s why it’s worth a detour.

A Mayor Built It Because He Hated Walking Uphill

Back in 1882, J.K. Graves, former Senator and mayor of Dubuque, got sick of trudging up the bluff to his house every day. He’d seen similar setups in Europe and decided to build one for himself. At first, his workers had to pull the car up and down with ropes. When neighbors wanted rides too, he started charging five cents after a fire in 1886.

Ten Neighbors Saved the Elevator After Fires

When fires wrecked the elevator twice, the community stepped up. After the second fire in 1893, ten neighbors who liked using it chipped in $250 each to form the Fenelon Place Elevator Company and took over from Graves.

Parts from the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair Still Work Today

When rebuilding after the 1893 fire, the new owners went to the Chicago World’s Fair and brought back a turnstile, steel cable, and a streetcar motor.

The steel cable came from the same company that made the Brooklyn Bridge. They also put in a 25-horsepower motor and set up three rails so two cars could pass each other.

One Man Slowly Bought All the Shares

Clifton Baker Trewin, one of the original investors, kept buying shares as other owners lost interest or died. By 1916, he owned everything and upgraded the wooden cars to steel ones. Later his daughter, Mrs. Dorothy Huntoon, took over.

Lightning Hit the Elevator Twice in One Unlucky Day

This elevator has bounced back from some tough breaks. Besides the fires in 1886 and 1893, it got hit by lightning twice on the same day in 1925. The owners quickly bought a stronger motor in a nearby town and had it running again just two days later for the Fourth of July.

More Than 7 Million People Have Ridden Since 1955

The Fenelon Place Elevator got listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 and was included in two historic districts in 1985 and 2015.

By 1955, it had already carried more than 7 million people. That number is way bigger now. Not bad for a little railway that’s not even as long as a football field.

Small Dogs Can Ride For Free

The Fenelon Place Elevator lets dogs ride too. You and your pet can enjoy the views of Dubuque, the Mississippi River, and three states together. Just know the cars are small, so only lap-sized dogs fit comfortably.

More Dubuque Attractions Within a Short Drive

After your ride, there’s more to see around Dubuque. Check out the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, Eagle Point Park, Diamond Jo Casino, Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, or Mines of Spain Recreation Area.

Most people also visit the shops in Cable Car Square at the bottom of the hill. The whole area has turned into a nice spot with shops, places to eat, and pretty old buildings.

Visiting the Fenelon Place Elevator

• Address: 512 Fenelon Place (top station), west end of Fourth Street (bottom station)

Fenelon Place Elevator combines a bit of history with great scenery for just $4 (cash only) and a few minutes of your time. It’s open daily 8 AM to 10 PM, April 1 through November 30.