Fun with funiculars
I can’t believe I’ve been driving through Dubuque for years and have never ridden the funicular there until last Monday! For shame!
So, what is a funicular, beyond another word I have a hard time pronouncing? Let’s consult good ole Wikipedia:
A funicular is a cable railway in which a cable attached to a pair of tram-like vehicles on rails moves them up and down a steep slope, the ascending and descending vehicles counterbalancing each other. Its name derives from the latin, funiculus, diminutive of funis, meaning “rope”.
The Dubuque funicular (aka Fenelon Place Elevator, aka Fourth Street Elevator) is not the first one I have ridden. The first was in Orvieto, Italy, in January of 2006!
We rode up over 500 feet to get to the city center, and see these amazing views:
Ahh, I would love to go back. That cathedral! So amazing!
Oops. I digress.
The reason the Dubuque funicular was initially built is humorous to me. J.K. Graves lived on the top of the bluff and worked on the bottom. He liked to go home for lunch and eat then take a nap (aww, yeah) but couldn’t fit that in his allocated lunch break – it took too long to get his horse and buggy around the bluff to the top, and back down.
So in 1882, Graves hired John Bell to design a cable car to go straight up the bluff to save him time. He was granted the right to build it June 5 that year, and it operated for the first time July 25 – fast construction! Then he had enough time to eat AND nap. Ahhh.
Of course, the elevator burned down several times throughout history. In 1893, Graves couldn’t afford to rebuild it, so he gave ten neighbors (who had come to rely on it) the rights to the track, and they formed the Fenelon Place Elevator Company. Eventually, one neighbor become the sole stock holder. I am not sure who runs it now – maybe the same family? Maybe the city? But it’s open April through November and fun (and cheap!) to ride!
The Dubuque funicular claims to be the shortest and steepest funicular in the world (and like most claims, others make the same claim, ha). Um, yeah. It’s steep – it travels a vertical elevation of 98 feet at an angle of 106 degrees! Eek!
I thought Luca would get a kick of out riding the funicular, because he loves all things transportation (and I love that about him!). Many trains travel by where my family has homes in Guttenberg, so it was an exciting weekend for him (but more about their visit, later!).
There were great views of downtown Dubuque from the top of the bluff. And you can see three states – Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin!
We could see where the half marathon we did that morning started and ended (indicated by the white arrow above).
Click image to see larger
There was a display at the house on top of the bluff of different funicular postcards from around the world (that riders had mailed to Dubuque!). It would be fun to ride these in other cities! I’ll have to consult this list if I am every traveling, to see if one exists.
And I have to see what other things I am missing out in in Dubuque* that I need to explore with my family and otra familia next summer!
*Apparently, not this cave. We were going to go, then read some horrible reviews of it, ha ha.
Themocracy
Well first off, thanks for teaching me a new word. I’ve never heard “funicular”, although I’ve seen cable cars before of course. I love the reason that one was built! We’ve been in Dubuque a few times but haven’t ever seen that car. I guess we’ll have to look for it next time! Looks like fun.
Oh, how cool that is a new word for you! 🙂 I hope you guys get to try it out – it’s fun. If you are downtown, just look for fourth street and you’ll see it right there!
Admittedly, I have never ridden on the funicular either and I lived only 25 minutes away! I should do that one of these days!
I am fairly certain I went to Crystal Lake Cave when I was like 8 years old and I don’t remember being that impressed then. Maquoketa Caves is worth checking out though and it’s a state park so it’s free! Hmm what else is good in Dubuque…Mines of Spain, Mississippi River Museum, Farmers Market on Saturdays, and the Arboretum!
Let me know if you do!
Ahh, cool! Thanks for the tips!!!! I have only been to the Mississippi River Museum, of that list!!!!
I first saw a funicular while watching The Amazing Race and have wanted to go on one ever since – how lucky you are, to have one so close! Looks like it was as much fun as it seems!
I hope you come across one! I didn’t see any listed in TX on this list 🙁 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_funicular_railways#.C2.A0United_States
Soo SOoo COOL!
The house we stayed in on vacation had a little tram to and from the beach and that’s probably as close as I’ve ever come to riding on a funicular. I’m happy you finally rode this one!
Oh fun!!!!
The property manager said it had just been repaired, too, because the family that stayed there before us rode it like 50 times a day!
Ha! Hilarious. They must have had a few kids 😉 Or very excited adults.
OMG, Kim, this is why we’re friends. I <3 <3 <3 funiculars. We saw a private one in Sausalito, and I kept talking about it. Harrison was like, "Only you would get so excited about funiculars," but now I know that's not true!
I wish I were wealthy/important enough to make a funicular for my lunch break.
I also looked up the list of shortest/steepest funiculars in the world. I think whenever I go to a city that has one to ride, I shall make a point of riding one. 🙂
Ha! I am not surprised that we both think they are cool! Too bad that private one is not open for rides! I hope you get to ride one some day!