City - Dubuque IA - Main street 1940 Neck Tie

Colorized photo from 1940, April Original title: Main street of Dubuque, Iowa Photographer: John Vachon Location: 801 Main St, Dubuque, Iowa This location in Dubuque, Iowa, seems to have kept a lot of its old buildings. On almost every street corner there is another building built over a hundred years ago. If you live here, then you might recognize the building on the right. It has changed names a few times over the years. It's the Security building, or also known as the Stampfer Building. In 1877, an individual named Dan A Sullivan founded a dry goods store with Paul Kees. In 1883, Kees died and he was replaced with a new partner, Joeseph Frederick Stampfer. Originally they had a store located in the Clock Tower building that is behind us. In 1895, together they raised money for the construction of this building, or at least the southern half. Originally they wanted to double the size in 1898 but never got to it. In 1901, Sullivan retired, and it simply became known as the JF Stampfer store. They sold household goods on the third floor, millinery and other clothing on the second, and women's attire on the first floor. The fourth floor may have been used as a warehouse. In 1907, the northern half was built, and floors were leased to other businesses, while Stampfer took the whole first floor. They occupied this building till the late 1960's. In 1937, his son took over the business after his father died. And officially changed the name of the building the Stampfer building. In 2006, it became a historic landmark.