Hiking and history await in Dubuque’s Mines of Spain

LMQC’s outdoor bloggers, Teri Stickler and Kaia, explore the history, trails, and natural beauty of The Mines of Spain park in Dubuque, Iowa. 

By Teri Stickler, LMQC Outdoor Blogger, and her Samoyed, Kaia

Wowzer!  Kaia and I found a new place to explore, and did we ever find a gold mine!

Correct that!  Lead mine!

The Mines of Spain.  Have you heard of the park just outside of Dubuque, Iowa?

Digging up a little local history

Teri and Kaia explore The Mines of Spain in Dubuque

A little background for you.  The earliest inhabitants of this area were the Mesquakie.  Their village was at the mouth of Catfish Creek.  Kaia and I followed the creek for much of our hike.  The Mesquakie fur traded with French voyagers.  There is evidence: mounds, rock shelters, and campsites of Native American cultures here, dating from as far back as 8,000 years.

Julien Dubuque was likely the first European to settle on this Iowa soil somewhere around 1788.  The Governor of Spain, who lived in New Orleans then, granted Dubuque the right to work the land owned by Spain at that time.  Dubuque married Potosa, the daughter of the Mesquakie Chief.

The Mines of Spain’s name is derived from the lead mining that occurred throughout the years.  Interestingly enough, lead mining in this area began with Native American groups hundreds of years ago.  Galena was sometimes found in burial mounds.  When Europeans arrived in the 1600s, it is thought the lead mined was used in the American Revolution.

Julien Dubuque later established a complete operation of mining, smelting, and marketing.  The area provided lead used in the Civil War, continued through World War I, and ended during the time of World War II.  So, as you see, whatever your interests, Mines of Spain is somewhere you will want to visit. It offers a wide variety of things to do, see, and learn.

Nearly 1,500 acres of wildlife and trails … and hills

This 1,437-acre driftless region has anything and everything to satisfy your heart’s desire.  Stop in at the EB Lyons Interpretive Center and get your bearings, learn the history, pick up a map, do some birdwatching, visit the bird and butterfly garden, partake in the interactive museum, and lay out your hiking plans for the numerous trails throughout the preserve.

Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately for us, Kaia was quick to get out hiking and was not much into reading and planning.  And so, we hit the trails.

Are there steps?  Well, are we in Dubuque?  Of course, there are steps!  And so, our first trail was a series of what I will call ‘plateau steps.’  The kind where railroad-type ties are laid about 3-4 feet apart, thus helping to control erosion from the constant foot traffic.  We traversed many of those.  There were so many, I just stopped counting and played “follow the leader.”

It’s hard to keep a good dog down

Kaia was beside herself with excitement, and I began to fully understand why Samoyeds are such strong sled dogs.  Of course, I tried to reason with her and remind her she still had some healing to do on her recent surgery, but her nose overpowered her reasoning, and her hearing was turned off.  We soldiered on.

Kaia at the Pine Chapel

The trails eventually leveled off, and we were on a grassy, mowed wide pathway through a prairie plot and onto some hard-paced dirt trails toward historic places of interest such as Pine Chapel. Other paths had crushed yellow rock.

The walking on all of that was easy and allowed the eyes to take in everything around me and not be bothered by watching and calculating every next step.

My only challenge at that time was Kaia’s keen hearing, her sharp sniffing capabilities, and her eagle eyes as some teasing chipmunks and some pesky squirrels. (I think I told you one before that I am no longer a great fan of squirrels!  Not after Kaia and her torn CCL (ACL to us humans.)

She kept driving to chase them into the taller weeds and grasses and wanted to circle the stately oak and hickory trees. I kept switching the leash from my right to my left hand to even out the pull on each arm.

OK, I may have stretched the story a bit, but she was truly overwhelmed with all the things to see and do and absorb.  As was I.  It was so good to be out doing the things we love to do and being together to share the experiences.

Watching and learning at the EB Lyons Interpretive Center

Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the LEED Certified EB Lyons Interpretive Center.  Unique in its own right, it was specifically designed to consume fewer fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse emissions, reduce pollution, minimize land impact, provide better working conditions, and comply with LED requirements, including everything from a glass staircase to providing solar heat to high-efficiency furnaces.  Near the Center are interpretive trails, some about birds, some about plants and animals.

Also, and new to me from all the places we have visited over time, was a Wildlife Observation Building.  One can quietly wend their way into the building, outfitted with a long bench inside and only a long slit of an opening “window” from which to extra-quietly wait and watch as the forest animals come seeking food or shelter or just out for their daily walk.

Today, the area is a National Historic Landmark with so much history laced into the story you will find it fascinating to delve in and learn of all that preceded our being here today.

Because I was with a friend who was most interested in walking the trails, let me share with you: the area offers beautiful picnic areas, tables, and even small, covered gazebos to sit and enjoy a bite to eat or sit and enjoy the day.  We found a beautiful stone Pine Chapel, a root cellar, and a wine cellar.

Directions

If you are heading out from the Quad Cities, hop of Highway 61 and head north, about 71 miles, toward Dubuque, Iowa.  The drive is easy. Listen to some good music and enjoy the countryside.  Once you get to Dubuque, take Hwy 52 and you’ll be right there, Mines of Spain State Recreation Area, which is open year round, with trail hours from 4 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Come and enjoy a day at Mines of Spain.

Mines of Spain LINKS:

• History of the Mines of Spain Park
• Mines of Spain Visitor Center Information
• Explore the Mines of Spain on Facebook
• Places to Go in Iowa: Mines of Spain (Iowa DNR)

Check out Teri and Kaia’s pictures from their most recent adventure …

Wowzer!  Kaia and I found a new place to explore, and did we ever find a gold mine!

Correct that!  Lead mine!

The Mines of Spain.  Have you heard of the park just outside of Dubuque, Iowa?

Digging up a little local history

Teri and Kaia explore The Mines of Spain in Dubuque

A little background for you.  The earliest inhabitants of this area were the Mesquakie.  Their village was at the mouth of Catfish Creek.  Kaia and I followed the creek for much of our hike.  The Mesquakie fur traded with French voyagers.  There is evidence: mounds, rock shelters, and campsites of Native American cultures here, dating from as far back as 8,000 years.

Julien Dubuque was likely the first European to settle on this Iowa soil somewhere around 1788.  The Governor of Spain, who lived in New Orleans then, granted Dubuque the right to work the land owned by Spain at that time.  Dubuque married Potosa, the daughter of the Mesquakie Chief.

The Mines of Spain’s name is derived from the lead mining that occurred throughout the years.  Interestingly enough, lead mining in this area began with Native American groups hundreds of years ago.  Galena was sometimes found in burial mounds.  When Europeans arrived in the 1600s, it is thought the lead mined was used in the American Revolution.

Julien Dubuque later established a complete operation of mining, smelting, and marketing.  The area provided lead used in the Civil War, continued through World War I, and ended during the time of World War II.  So, as you see, whatever your interests, Mines of Spain is somewhere you will want to visit. It offers a wide variety of things to do, see, and learn.

Nearly 1,500 acres of wildlife and trails … and hills

This 1,437-acre driftless region has anything and everything to satisfy your heart’s desire.  Stop in at the EB Lyons Interpretive Center and get your bearings, learn the history, pick up a map, do some birdwatching, visit the bird and butterfly garden, partake in the interactive museum, and lay out your hiking plans for the numerous trails throughout the preserve.

Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately for us, Kaia was quick to get out hiking and was not much into reading and planning.  And so, we hit the trails.

Are there steps?  Well, are we in Dubuque?  Of course, there are steps!  And so, our first trail was a series of what I will call ‘plateau steps.’  The kind where railroad-type ties are laid about 3-4 feet apart, thus helping to control erosion from the constant foot traffic.  We traversed many of those.  There were so many, I just stopped counting and played “follow the leader.”

It’s hard to keep a good dog down

Kaia was beside herself with excitement, and I began to fully understand why Samoyeds are such strong sled dogs.  Of course, I tried to reason with her and remind her she still had some healing to do on her recent surgery, but her nose overpowered her reasoning, and her hearing was turned off.  We soldiered on.

Kaia at the Pine Chapel

The trails eventually leveled off, and we were on a grassy, mowed wide pathway through a prairie plot and onto some hard-paced dirt trails toward historic places of interest such as Pine Chapel. Other paths had crushed yellow rock.

The walking on all of that was easy and allowed the eyes to take in everything around me and not be bothered by watching and calculating every next step.

My only challenge at that time was Kaia’s keen hearing, her sharp sniffing capabilities, and her eagle eyes as some teasing chipmunks and some pesky squirrels. (I think I told you one before that I am no longer a great fan of squirrels!  Not after Kaia and her torn CCL (ACL to us humans.)

She kept driving to chase them into the taller weeds and grasses and wanted to circle the stately oak and hickory trees. I kept switching the leash from my right to my left hand to even out the pull on each arm.

OK, I may have stretched the story a bit, but she was truly overwhelmed with all the things to see and do and absorb.  As was I.  It was so good to be out doing the things we love to do and being together to share the experiences.

Watching and learning at the EB Lyons Interpretive Center

Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the LEED Certified EB Lyons Interpretive Center.  Unique in its own right, it was specifically designed to consume fewer fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse emissions, reduce pollution, minimize land impact, provide better working conditions, and comply with LED requirements, including everything from a glass staircase to providing solar heat to high-efficiency furnaces.  Near the Center are interpretive trails, some about birds, some about plants and animals.

Also, and new to me from all the places we have visited over time, was a Wildlife Observation Building.  One can quietly wend their way into the building, outfitted with a long bench inside and only a long slit of an opening “window” from which to extra-quietly wait and watch as the forest animals come seeking food or shelter or just out for their daily walk.

Today, the area is a National Historic Landmark with so much history laced into the story you will find it fascinating to delve in and learn of all that preceded our being here today.

Because I was with a friend who was most interested in walking the trails, let me share with you: the area offers beautiful picnic areas, tables, and even small, covered gazebos to sit and enjoy a bite to eat or sit and enjoy the day.  We found a beautiful stone Pine Chapel, a root cellar, and a wine cellar.

Directions

If you are heading out from the Quad Cities, hop of Highway 61 and head north, about 71 miles, toward Dubuque, Iowa.  The drive is easy. Listen to some good music and enjoy the countryside.  Once you get to Dubuque, take Hwy 52 and you’ll be right there, Mines of Spain State Recreation Area, which is open year round, with trail hours from 4 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Come and enjoy a day at Mines of Spain.

Mines of Spain LINKS:

• History of the Mines of Spain Park
• Mines of Spain Visitor Center Information
• Explore the Mines of Spain on Facebook
• Places to Go in Iowa: Mines of Spain (Iowa DNR)

Check out Teri and Kaia’s pictures from their most recent adventure …