Commercial & Industrial Buildings, Halpin Block, 53-55 Locust Street, Dubuque, Dubuque County, IA

Significance: Patrick Halpin's parents, Michael and Mary [Hehir] Halpin, immigrated to the United States from Ireland in 1849. He was born en route on Christmas Day. The second of ten children, he lived with his family for six years in Brooklyn before moving to Dubuque in 1856. Patrick began working as a grocery clerk at age 15, first for P.T. Bronat and later John Dunn until he could raise enough capital to open his own grocery shop in 1868 at the tender age of 18. Eleven years later Halpin married Dubuquan Mary A. Robison; that year they built a two-story brick house on Jones Street and eventually had three children. Halpin was a director in the Dubuque County Bank, and was a director and stockholder of the Excelsior Brass Works. But throughout his career, his primary occupation was as owner of the grocery store and saloon. In 1882 he moved into this substantial two-story brick block at a prominent corner of the predominantly Irish neighborhood of Little Dublin. In 1888 Halpin advertised: P.H. Halpin, reliable grocer. Goods delivered to all parts of the city. Firemen will be welcome. Don't fail to call. Corner Jones & Locust Streets. "His business is located at the corner of Jones and Locust Streets, where he carries a full stock of staple and fancy groceries," an 1894 gazette stated. "He is now well established in business, and from the public receives a liberal patronage which is well deserved. He earnestly desires to please his customers and in all dealings is straightforward and honorable, and in consequence he has gained the confidence and good will of the community. As his business grew, so did Halpin's influence in Little Dublin. A stalwart Democrat, he became an important First Ward politician. In 1890 he was first elected Clerk of the District Court, an office he held for several terms. Additionally, Halpin was a member of the Catholic Church and sat on the executive committee of the Personal Liberty Association of Dubuque. The Halpin Block is historically significant for its close association with this locally prominent civic, commercial and political figure. With its brick walls, metal cornice and cast iron storefront, the building is architecturally distinguished as a well-proportioned and well-preserved example of Victorian commercial design: the prototypical corner bar and grocery store and a visible landmark in the Irish community of Little Dublin.
Survey number: HABS IA-160-AZ