The best way to see Wisconsin? From the top of the shortest, steepest railroad!

By Christina Lorey

May 6, 2025

Ever seen Wisconsin from the top of the shortest, steepest railroad in the world?! It’s just across the Mississippi River in Dubuque!

The Fenelon Place Elevator — also known as the Fourth Street Elevator — is a 296-feet-long track that angles up at 41 degrees for a vertical elevation of 189 feet. At the top are TWO observation decks, which offer unobstructed views of three states: Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa!

Now you’re probably wondering why something like this exists…

The story behind the elevator is just as intriguing as the ride itself!

In 1882, Dubuque was “an hour and a half town” — at noon, everything shut down for an hour and a half while everyone went home for lunch. That posed a problem for J. K. Graves — a former mayor, state senator, and banker who lived on top of the bluffs and worked at the bottom. In order to get home, he had to spend half an hour driving his horse and buggy around the bluff to get to the top and another half an hour to get back — even though his bank was technically only two-and-a-half blocks away.

So he decided to build his own cable car, just like the ones he saw on his travels to Europe! And the rest is history…

When the elevator first opened in 1884, rides cost 5 cents. Nowadays, they’re $2 each way. The elevator runs daily from April 1 through November 30.

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Author

Christina Lorey

Christina is an Edward R. Murrow-winning journalist and former producer, reporter, and anchor for TV stations in Madison and Moline. When she’s not writing or asking questions, you can find her volunteering with Girls on the Run, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and various mental health organizations. Send all story tips to [email protected] and sign up for her newsletter here.

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