Iowa Almanac
Iowa Almanac -- Friday, June 28, 2024
Iowa's first club. More from the Iowa Almanac in a moment. You work hard to provide for your family. Make sure you maximize your family's financial security regarding your trust, estate, and asset management. This is John Jacobson. Protect your family's financial interest for generations. Learn more about security national banks, trust and asset management services. Go to snbconnect.com for more. I look forward to earning your trust. Investment and insurance products are not FDIC insured, not a bank deposit, not bank guaranteed may lose value, not insured by any federal government agency. On June 28, 1865, the Dubuque Shooting Society was formally incorporated. The group was founded in 1856, and is Iowa's oldest existing club. Originally known as the Schoitsen Gelsenschaft, the group's charter members were all of German descent, and none were native born Dubuque residents. In fact, until 1875, anyone who could not speak German was excluded from membership, and the German name for the club was used until 1890. The club's 160-yard range at 30th and Jackson Streets was the scene of frequent shooting competitions. A change in the course of the Minnesota and Northwestern Railroad meant the club needed to find a new property. They settled on a 23-acre park fronting what is now Highway 52 North, which was once the county poorhouse farm. The Natural Amphitheater provided an ideal setting for shooting and privacy. About 100 years after the railroad forced the society to move, highway routes almost did the same thing again. In 1978, there were plans to route a four-lane highway through a portion of the property, but the Dubuque City Council canceled those plans because of the negative impact on the society. Originally known as Schoitsen Gelsenschaft, the Dubuque Shooting Society was formally incorporated as Iowa's oldest existing club on this date in 1865. And that's Iowa Almanac for June 28th. Follow us on Twitter @IowaAlmanac. Until Monday, I'm Jeff Stein.