Landmark - Iron Dog

This "Iron Dog" stood guard in the front lawn of the home of James McGarry Harris for many years. The exact origin of the dog is not known. Family lore says that the dog was given to him as a gift from the Rock Island Railroad. Jim apparently let the railroad obtain water from his well. James moved into Postville village from his farm in 1893, so if the story is true, the dog is over 110 years old.

The statue remained in the same location for over 80 years, only it's owners changed. The Leubka family lived in the home for many years, and it was Mrs. Elmer Leubka who donated the dog to the Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative (REC)in the early 1990's. The REC restored damage from vandalism and the dog now graces the lawn of their office on Green St. in Postville.

In the 1950's, I grew up just down the street from the elegant James Harris home and remember many, many times climbing on the dog for "a ride". Several generations of Postville youngsters must have had the same experience. Like many memories from our childhood days, the dog seemed ever so much bigger when I was a kindergartner!!

I regret that I don't have a photo of the dog in it's original location and would be grateful to anyone who can send me one.
Sharyl

--Estimated wt. of the dog is 500 lbs.

--It is thought to be cast of pewter or iron.

--There are at least 4, and possibly 7 identical or similar dogs scattered around the Midwest.

--The Mineral Point, WI dog is a town landmark and has been in the town since at least 1876. It's first use was to promote a local department store "Gundry and Gray". This store was owned by men from Cornwall, England. It presently is owned by Wisconsin Power and Light.

--The West Union, Fayette Co. IA dog originally was used as a cemetery monument on the grave of Mrs. C.B. Minchen, wife of a West Union dry goods store owner. It was moved to Carroll, IA in the late 1940's.

--There supposedly is another of the dogs someplace in Michigan.