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Fenelon Place Elevator
The Fenelon Place Elevator, popularly known as the Fourth Street Elevator, is a funicular railway situated at Fenelon Place in Dubuque, Iowa. It is the steepest and the shortest railroad in the world and has also been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It features two main observation decks at the top that provide a breathtaking view of the spectacular Mississippi River and the historic Dubuque business district. One can view three states-Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin-from these spectacular viewpoints.
The Fenelon Place Elevator measures 296 ft (90.22 m) in length and has a vertical elevation of 189 ft (57.6 m), extending from Fourth Street to Fenelon place. It has two cars, which start at the opposite ends of the elevator and counterbalance each other. They draw power from an engine in the station house at the hill top and pass each other at the mid-point of the elevator. The Swiss style cable car was originally built for J. K. Graves’ private use and operated for the first time on July 25, 1882.
The Elevator gained a lot of popularity over the years. It also underwent several renovations in the past, particularly in 1977, when the two cable cars of the Elevator were completely rebuilt and the 84 year old gear box was replaced by a modern DC gear box. The Fenelon Place Elevator is not only the world’s most scenic railway but also the cheapest thrill in Dubuque. It links the old residential area with the downtown Dubuque. This “shortest, steepest” railway is a “must-see” for all those who visit the city.
- Address: 512 Fenelon Place,
Dubuque, IA 52001
- Telephone: (319) 582-6496
- Hours: Apr 1 - Nov 30: 8 AM - 10 PM daily
- Website: www.dbq.co/fenplco/
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