Iowa is Home to the Steepest and Shortest Scenic Railway in the World

We've got some pretty unique attractions all around the US. My mind immediately goes to the largest ball of twine when I think of 'unique attractions'. But there's another attraction that I just discovered that's in Iowa and it has an interesting history.

ALSO READ: 8 of the Most Scenic Places in Minnesota

Scenic Railways

With all of the railroads that have been built over many, many years, there are quite a few scenic railways that we can take a ride on. And that's what this attraction is in Iowa.

So if you or your kids love trains, this could be a great place for the family to visit! You'd better have other plans while you're in town, though, because this railway is SO SHORT.

It's so short in fact that it is considered the shortest (and also the steepest) scenic railway in the entire world.

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The World's Steepest and Shortest Scenic Railway

This railway is in Dubuque and was originally built back in 1882 because of a man who was a former mayor, former State Senator, and banker. His name was J. K. Graves.

Dubuque has quite a few bluffs, and J. K. lived at the bottom of one and worked at the top. His commute was only about 2 blocks but it took him 30 minutes one way via his horse and buggy because of the bluff.

He wanted to make his commute easier, so he commissioned to have a railway built like the ones he had seen in Europe to take him straight up the bluff and back down.

The project was completed in July of 1882 and was a cable car only for J. K. But then, in 1884, he noticed all of his neighbors' interest in the cable car and decided to open up the service to everyone, charging 5 cents per ride.

Sadly, the railway caught fire twice and the second one was during a recession in 1893, so J. K. couldn't afford to fix it. But so many people had come to rely on the railway that some of them rallied to get it upgraded and fixed. That's when it became the Fenlon Place Elevator Co.

Visit the World's Steepest and Shortest Scenic Railway

Obviously, there have been plenty of upgrades over the years, but the cars and railway are still operable.

It's only 296 feet long but goes up 189 feet from 4th St. to Fenlon Place. During the short ride, you can see amazing views of the Mississippi River and Dubuque.

If you'd like to take a ride on the world's steepest and shortest scenic railway it's $2 one way for ages 12+, $1 for kids under 12. They operate every day 8 AM to 10 PM from April 1st to November 30th.