This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
Dubuque’s long road to economic revival in 1995 crisis
In 1995 Dubuque faced mass layoffs as FDL Foods closed its plant and the Silver Eagle riverboat shut down, costing about 1 600 and 300 jobs. IBP’s bid sparked distrust but community leaders rallied, steering ownership to Farmland then Smithfield Foods. The episode forged a lasting regional teamwork that reshaped the city’s economy.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Farmland Foods
Dubuque
John Morrell & Co
Morrell
Smithfield Foods
Rick Dickinson
Greater Dubuque Development Corp
IBP
Jack Crahan
Flexsteel Industries
Dubuque Furniture Company
Economic Development Organization
Crahan
Farmland
Dickinson