More continues to be discovered as a few individuals research the gravel road that crosses the Bunker Mill Bridge. Doris Park is the Secretary of Friends of Bunker Mill Bridge and has teamed up with the group’s Executive Director Julie Bowers to put together a report outlining the historical significance of that small stretch of road. Park says they already knew it was an important stage coach road, but before Iowa became a state, it was part of a military road that went from Dubuque to Keosauqua, which was the first road built in the territory. According to Park, the federal government built it so they could bring in troops in case of a Native American uprising.

She adds they’re postponing further research for their presentation at the Preserving Historic Road Conference  in Georgia until the restoration of the bridge is complete.