Poised on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, Dubuque provided a vital entry point for westward expansion. Explorers, Native Americans, fur traders, lead miners and pilgrims all played a part in the little-known history of Iowa's Driftless Region. It was Dubuque that contributed the first military company in the country for service at the start of the Civil War. Jefferson Davis made a foray into the city in pursuit of lead miners. And gangster Al Capone reportedly used the Hotel Julien as a retreat and hideout. Uncover these lost stories and more with author and historian Susan Miller Hellert as she chronicles the fascinating and all-but-forgotten tales of Dubuque and the surrounding region.
Susan Miller Hellert lives on the Miller Family Century Farm in Dubuque County. She earned her BA in history from the University of Wisconsin and an MA in history from Loras College in Dubuque. A retired senior lecturer in the history department at the University of Wisconsin–Platteville, her local history column appears in the Dubuque Telegraph Herald.