Reconnaissance Level Historical and Architectural Survey of Peru Township, Dubuque County, Iowa

Spark Consulting; McCarley, Rebecca

From executive summary: The Reconnaissance Level Historical and Architectural Survey of Peru Township, Dubuque County, Iowa, is part of a phased program to identify, evaluate, register, and protect the cultural resources of Dubuque County. The Dubuque County Historic Preservation Commission began this program over 20 years ago. The purpose of the reconnaissance level survey was to identify the historic resources in Peru Township and to develop a historic context to evaluate the significance of these resources... Dubuque County is located in northeast Iowa, and the east boundary of the county is the Mississippi River. It contains eighteen townships, with the largest city and county seat, Dubuque, located on the river. Peru Township is located immediately north of Dubuque Township, with the Mississippi River cutting through the north and east sections within the standard square grid. Early settlers arrived in Peru Township, attracted by lead mining prospects and then agricultural potential. The population of Dubuque County began to boom, growing from 3,056 in 1840 to 10,841 in 1850 and to 31,146 in 1860. The settlement of Peru Township mirrored this early growth, with 833 residents in the township by 1860. The population of Peru Township historically peaked at 1,071 in 1880 and fell below 1,000 by the tun of the century. With property within driving distance of Dubuque after World War 11 and development of John Deere Dubuque Works in the township, the township population again grew, from 817 in 1950 to 1,085 in 1960 and to 1,325 in 1970. In 2000, the population of Peru Township was 1,619. The historic resources identified through the survey reflect this pattern of growth and development. Peru Township contains portions of 32 sections totaling around 25 square miles, or around 16,000 acres. A total of 279 properties in Peru Township with at least one resource built by 1970 were surveyed as part of this project, including 260 newly identified properties. Per assessor records, around 350 properties built after 1970 exist in Peru Township, and new construction is continuing. The identified 279 properties comprise approximately 840 resources built by 1970, including houses, barns, agricultural outbuildings, bridges, cemeteries, and other buildings. For this initial survey, only basic information was collected regarding each historic resource, including property type, address/location, legal description, original use, current use, and materials. Basic historic research was conducted by examining historic maps and through deed research on select properties. Any information from this research or other sources was entered onto the continuation sheets of the survey forms. A site plan, location map, and photograph accompany each site inventory form. Formal evaluations of eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places did not occur for this reconnaissance level survey; however, recommendations were made for properties with strong potential for eligibility and for further research and evaluation. From this preliminary evaluation, 12 properties appear to have strong potential for individual eligibility and 118 properties were recommended for further research to better assess their potential eligibility for listing on the National Register of Historic Places." Funding for this project was provided in part through a 2009 Historic Preservation Fund grant to Dubuque County (project number IA-09-053) administered by the Iowa State Historic Preservation Office (grant number 19-09-21840) and the State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Dubuque County, Iowa is a Certified Local Government.

Reconnaissance Level Historical and Architectural Survey of Peru Township, Dubuque County, Iowa

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