Commercial & Industrial Buildings, Peter Even & Son Auto Company Showroom, 65 Main Street, Dubuque, Dubuque County, IA

Significance: Born in Jackson County, Iowa, on August 4, 1856, Peter Even moved to Dubuque in 1878. He operated a grocery store for three years before becoming a salesman and bookkeeper for Pat McCullough, an agricultural implement dealer. He worked for McCullough for thirteen years and then joined H.J. Fuchs to start a wood and coal business. In 1894 Even and Fuchs bought McCullough's implement business; ten years later Even bought out Fuch's interest in the partnership. "His implement house is one of the largest in the state," a 1911 history stated. "The large patronage he is enjoying, both in the fuel and implement business, was acquired by honest and fair dealings." About this time Even added automobile sales to his implement business at 57 West Main Street, and in 1916 he built this brick building to house the car business exclusively. The Peter Even and Son Auto Company Showroom typifies the functionally detailed brick structures built in the early 20th century on lower Main Street to house Dubuque's automobile service and sales industry.
Survey number: HABS IA-160-BO
Building/structure dates: 1916 Initial Construction