Photos by Ryan Moffatt
Home > Iowa Cities > Burlington Photo Page
 

Burlington Photo Page

Burlington, Iowa is the county seat of Des Moines County, and a hub of commerce and industry for Southeastern Iowa The city has a population of 26,839 people, with 50,510 people in the Burlington micropolitan area.  The small city served an important role as a port city on the Mississippi River and a major terminus for several railroads that were named after the city. The Burlington Railroad (BNSF) and the Chicago Burlington & Quincy (CB & Q) all had major operations within the city, which in combination with the steamboat river traffic, helped to lead to the city to historic prosperity. Burlington is an old city in terms of Iowa cities, and was the 2nd territorial capitol of Iowa before it was chartered as a state. The city today features plenty of classic architecture, tree-lined river bluff neighborhoods, and a set of picturesque church steeples on the skyline of downtown more so resembles a European city instead of small city in Iowa. There are several quirky sights worth seeing in Burlington, such as the famous Snake Alley, the hilly river topography and river culture, a landmark Mississippi River crossing, and the Port of Burlington Welcome Center. Today the city remains a center for industry, and has evolved into a retail hub for the fairly densely populated SE portion of Iowa.

Click the thumbnail on the left to see a larger image. Use your browser's Back button to return to this page.

Skyline, Downtown and Environs

 
River Panoramic- Taken from an old money neighborhood in the river bluffs south of downtown, a view of the river, the bridge and downtown is ideal.
June 2006
 
Downtown Overview - A glance over Burlington from the residential river bluffs south of downtown. Industry clings to the riverfront on the south side of downtown, with a more commercial-oriented downtown to the north.
June 2006
 
The view from South Main Street - A view of downtown from South Main Street, just south of downtown. The Burlington Hawk Eye Newspaper is in the foreground. A riverfront industrial district lies along the river to the right.
June 2006
 
Welcome to Iowa -Crossing the Mississippi River into Iowa grants you with this view of downtown Burlington, and the many spires that blend into the skyline.
June 2006
 
View from Illinois - A zoomed in view of the area near the former Mercy Hospital, with the MacArthur Bridge shown in the foreground. The photo was taken from the riverfront of Gulfport, Illinois.
June 2006
 
Great River Bridge - Replacing the historic McArthur over the Mississippi River is the Great River Bridge, which was completed in 1994. The 370 ft. tall towers are the tallest object on the Burlington skyline, and have become an architectural icon for the community.
June 2006
 
Great River Bridge - A view of the Great River Bridge (Highway 34) from the river bluffs south of downtown.
June 2006
 
Mighty Mississippi - The wide Mississippi River with boat traffic on a gloomy summer day.
June 2006
 
Port of Burlington - The newly renovated Port of Burlington Tourist Center was the original home of the Burlington Municipal Docks. The riverfront building now serves as an Iowa Welcome Center, and a tourism information hub for the community.
June 2006
 
Memorial Auditorium - The auditorium is located on the riverfront at the hub intersection of downtown. Surrounding the auditorium is a series of riverfront parks and war memorials.
June 2006
 
Memorial Auditorium - Built as a Works Project Administration facility in 1939, the Art Deco inspired building is the principal auditorium space for SE Iowa, and is the home of art performances, trade shows and rodeos.
June 2006
 
Riverfront Fountains - The most picturesque spot to watch the goings-on downtown and along the river is a plaza area featuring a series of fountains.
June 2006
 
Riverfront Fountains - A different view of the fountains, facing the river.
June 2006
 
Downtown Overview - Looking south into downtown from the incline going up Heritage Hill.
June 2006
 
View Down 3rd Street - The view south, down 3rd Street provides mix of buildings in various styles and in various states of repair.
June 2006
 
Up Jefferson Street - Jefferson Street is downtown Burlington's primary retail street, and definitely features the most inviting streetscape found in all downtown streets and sidewalks.
June 2006
 
2nd & Jefferson Streets-A bank/professional office building sits on the corner of 2nd and Jefferson Streets--a prominent intersection of downtown Burlington.
June 2006
 
Jefferson Street Streetscape - A pleasant Main Street streetscape framed by commercial buildings lines Jefferson Street.
June 2006
 
North 3rd Street - A five story building that is host to a number of business tenants sits on the corner of North 3rd and Jefferson streets.
June 2006
 
The Burlington Building- The 1926 Burlington Building is 8 stories tall and is the 3rd tallest building in the city, with 8 stories plus a pyramidal crown on the roof.
June 2006
 
Curved Corner Building - A terra cotta art deco accented building on a prominent downtown street corner.
June 2006
 
View up Washington Street - A row of buildings at the corner of North Main Street and Washington Streets. the 8 story Burlington Building looms to the west of this intersection.
June 2006
 
302 Washington Street - A tall 4 story commercial building sits nearly vacant and in disrepair on the corner of North 4th and Washington Streets.
June 2006
 
Capitol Theater - The Capitol Theater on North 3rd Street sports a classic Art Deco inspired facade. The theater currently appears empty, but the exterior appears to have been restored and well maintained.
June 2006
 

Famers and Merchants Building - Originally built in 1903, the Farmers and Merchants Building is the tallest mercantile building in Burlington at 9 stories tall.
June 2006
 
Farmers and Merchants Building - A view of the upper floors of the building in a complex that occupies an entire city block along 2nd and Jefferson Streets.
June 2006
 

Farmers and Merchants Building - This photo shows the two tallest in Burlington, with the Hotel Burlington being added to the building a decade after the bank building was completed.

June 2006
 
Hotel Burlington - The 9 story Hotel Burlington is tied for, and connected to the tallest buildings in town. Built in 1911 as a historic downtown hotel, it has since been converted to apartments.
June 2006
 
Old Glory - Looking from the riverfront fountains towards the tallest in downtown, a huge American flag soars overhead the "business ends" of two beautiful, old buildings.
June 2006
 
Downtown Retail - A small art deco building built in 1925 on the corner of N. 4th & Jefferson Avenue sits in the downtown's main retail corridor.
June 2006
 
Burlington Fire Department - Built on historic Valley Street, this classic firehouse has been overhauled throughout the years, but still serves as the community's main fire station.
June 2006
 
200 N. 4th Street - A five story Commercial-Era building on N. 4th Street.
June 2006
 
Old Stone Mill - One of several buildings constructed out of local limestone, and still standing proud. This circa 1860's building is now an antique mall along Jefferson Street.
June 2006
 
Long Building - This very long commercial building fills an entire block frontage.
June 2006
 
Jefferson Street Shops - The west end of Jefferson Street in downtown isn't as picturesque as the east end, closer to the river, but it's still lined with rows of storefronts and offices.
June 2006
Gritty Alley Shot - A look up an inclined alley is always interesting with this many old buildings around.
June 2006
 
Ornate Commercial Building - Any city would be lucky to have this very ornate commercial era jewel in their downtown. While the building's condition is far from pristine, this eye-catcher still holds businesses along the main downtown retail avenue, Jefferson Street.
June 2006
 
Skerik Auto Parts - An auto parts store is the sole remaining tenant in this German-inspired building.
June 2006
 
Down Jefferson Street - Another view looking east down Jefferson Street.
June 2006
 
Mercy Hospital - The former hospital facility in Burlington is this 6 story beauty that sits upon a river bluff on the fringe of downtown and in the Heritage Hill Neighborhood. Sitting across from a beautiful town square-like park, the hospital was shuttered a few years back when a new hospital facility was constructed. The building has been restored and now appears to be used as condominiums.
June 2006
 
Des Moines County Courthouse - The rebuilt Des Moines County Courthouse sits among a collection of government buildings on North Main Street. The original courthouse was demolished in 1940 to make construction for this more modern structure.
June 2006
 
Police Station - Directly to the north of City Hall is the Burlington Police Station and City Jail.
June 2006
 
City Hall/Police Station - A view of the Burlington City Hall and government office on the corner of Washington Avenue and N. 4th Street.
June 2006
 
Burlington Public Library - The oldest public library in Iowa is this beauty, built from 1868 to 1898 and was still functioning as the main library for the city until a new building was completed in 2006.
June 2006
 
Masonic Temple- A Masonic or Scottish Rite Temple still stands prominently on the edge of downtown, near Heritage Hill.
June 2006
 
More Warehouse District - Old school brick for as far as the eye can see in the former furniture factories and warehouses of south downtown, Burlington.
June 2006
 
Warehouse Row - Another shot of the warehouse canyon on S. 3rd and Market Streets that once housed several prominent furniture companies in the Burlington of yesteryear.
June 2006
 
Warehouse Row - Another shot of the big city-looking warehouse canyon. In a larger metro area, these buildings would make the ideal loft development.
June 2006
 
Warehouse Row - With Burlington's location along the Mississippi River, the City has an extensive background with industry and warehousing, as evidenced by these taller warehouse structures that form a canyon in the Market Street area. Many of the buildings appear to be partially occupied with a myriad of uses.
June 2006
 
Through Downtown - A zoomed in view of North 3rd Street, looking north. The setting for the photo is in the "warehouse district" with the new public library at the terminus of the street.
June 2006
 
Warehouse Building - Another brick warehouse near the south end of downtown Burlington.
June 2006

Historic Steeples of Burlington

 
Spires of Burlington - Burlington is known for it's ornate church spires and bell towers that prod into the skyline of the city. This photo is a portion of what is featured downtown's ornate churches and civic buildings that feature the spires.
June 2006
 
1st Methodist Church - A dark-colored stone church among many of the ornate churches in downtown Burlington.
June 2006
 
Historic Church - A picturesque old church marks the transition from the commercial downtown to the more residential setting of Heritage Hill.
June 2006
 
Christ Episcopal Church - A very unique church with a signature turret in downtown Burlington.
June 2006
 
North 4th Street - The view up North 4th Street towards Heritage Hill.
June 2006
 
First Congregational Church - A solid looking stone church on North 4th Street on the incline leading to Heritage Hill.
June 2006
 
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church - The tall steeple of this ornate church is an easily visible landmark in the residential hilltops to the south of downtown.
June 2006
 

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church - A traditional Gothic church sitting on Division Street has one of the tallest steeples in Burlington.
June 2006

 

Heritage Hill

 
Snake Alley - Constructed in 1894 to traverse the steep Heritage Hill from the Business District below, Snake Alley is said to be the "crookedest street in the world", superceding even Lombard Street in San Francisco. The bricks were laid at an angle to give horseback riders traction when going up the winding path. Today, the alley is one of Burlington's unique tourist attractions.
June 2006
 
Snake Alley - A view looking up Heritage Hill on the famous Snake Alley.
June 2006
 
Cobblestone Alleyway - A well preserved cobblestone alley leading from the historic Heritage Hill area to the Central Business District.
June 2006
 
Stone House - A residential example of very early construction in Burlington, featuring the entire structure made out of limestone.
June 2006
 
Fordney House - The blend of downtown and residential neighborhoods starts near the location of this very old historic home, turned gift shop dating back to 1845. There are several houses that date back to this age, which can usually be identified by their cobblestone foundation construction.
June 2006
 
Thomas Hedge Jr. Home - Another Italianate beauty in Heritage Hill, circa 1873.
June 2006
 
Italianate Home - Another Heritage Hill beauty with ornate metal porch railings on the double balconies.
June 2006
 
Rand-Blaul Home- A Queen Anne Victorian Home, that is more reminiscent of the wood-frame homes built during the 1880's in Heritage Hill, Burlington.
June 2006
 
Ellery-Krautz House - A very skinny French Second Empire home in the Heritage Hill Neighborhood.
June 2006
 
Moir Hall - A large fraternal organization home constructed in 1905 in Heritage Hill.
June 2006
 
Red Shuttered Home - This style of residential architecture is common among the older midwest cities along the Mississippi River. Possibly a twist on Colonial Architecture with some subtle Italianate touches?
June 2006
 
Smith-Eastman Estate - An Italian Style Villa built in the 1870's was once the home of a prominent Burlington cigar manufacturer.
June 2006
 
Charles E. Schramm Home - An 1893 Heritage Hill home with a stone entryway, reminiscent of much of the local limestone used for construction. Next door sits a very old double house, similar to what is found in many of the older Mississippi River cities.
June 2006
 
Phelps House Museum - This Italianate mansion located on Columbia Street in Heritage Hill sits directly next to the peak of Snake Alley, and has been converted into a historic museum decorated with period antique furniture.
June 2006
 
Mauro House - Another prominent home in the Heritage Hill Neighborhood that screams classic American influence, but dates back to 1858.
June 2006
 
Hedge Hill Home - Built around 1860, this Italianate home in the Heritage Hill Neighborhood is reminiscent of many other large, well built homes that remain in the area.
June 2006
 
Historic Apartment Building- While there are many very old brick buildings in Burlington, this style of apartment block that is common across much of the rest of Iowa is actually pretty rare in Burlington. This building is located on the edge of the Heritage Hill Neighborhood, near the Highway 34 "freeway" that cuts through the middle of town. Many older victorian homes were destroyed to make way for the freeway.
June 2006
 
Unique Home - Found in a neighborhood in the bluffs of the Mississippi River, this odd looking home is one of many unique, but historic places found in one of Iowa's oldest cities.
June 2006

Other Districts Around Town

 
River town Grit - Burlington is in pretty good shape for a very old river town in a less than prosperous part of Iowa. There is still some decrepit parts of town that show a grittier face, particularly near the old industrial districts. This apartment house and abandoned brick apartment building are evidence of said grit.
June 2006
 
Moehn Brewery - The back side of the Moehn Brewery Complex, built in 1914 and shuttered during the strict prohibition days in Iowa.
June 2006
 
Moehn Brewery - Burlington was a hub of German settlement early in the city's history, and that German heritage can be traced to the city's architecture as well. The Moehn Brewery has long been shuttered, but the historic building remains in an industrial district not far from downtown.
June 2006
 
Community Stadium - The Single A Burlington Bees baseball team (affiliate of the Kansas City Royals) plays at the newly refurbished Community Stadium. This stadium is located away from the main downtown area, but is easily accessible from all points in the city with highway access from nearby Highway 61.
June 2006
 
Great River Medical Center - Constructed in the adjacent community of West Burlington in 2001, the Great River Medical Center is a 700,000 regional medical facility that serves the modern health care needs of a swath of SE Iowa.
June 2006

Contribute Photos or Information to this Page