Graf

Graf is a small rural town, nestled in a beautiful valley in Dubuque County, Iowa.

Graf was founded around 1886, when farmer Christian Graf donated land to the Chicago Great Western Railroad for a depot. A coal chute and water tower were erected to serve the coal trains and a helper engine was kept in Graf to assist the trains up the incline to Farley. Due to the railroad, Graf was a thriving community. In 1898, a post office was opened in Graf, and during the 1920s Graf became an independent school district.


As time marched on, the railroad moved to more powerful locomotives, removing the need for the helper engine. Eventually the steam locomotives were replaced with diesel engines, causing the coal chute and water tower to be torn down around 1957. Finally, in 1978 the last train ran through Graf and the railroad closed. With the closing of the railroad, a group of Dubuque County residents, led by Doug Cheever, fought to acquire the railroad land and turn it into a nature trail. Heritage Trail was opened in 1986 and Graf is now located on the center of the trail, preserving its railroad heritage.


In addition to the railroad, two taverns and a sawmill operated in Graf. Probably the longest lasting business was a tavern run by Arvel and Mary Smith from 1948-1994. The sawmill is the only business in Graf today. The KTM Sawmill produces wood mulch, bedding, and other wood products. Even though Graf is not the bustling railroad town it once was, people living here enjoy quiet life among good neighbors. 

City Government

Mayor: Alicia Soppe

City Council: Tom Hefel, Ryan Schilling, Josh Lamey

City Clerk: Kurt Chipperfield

City Council Meetings: Held as needed on the first Tuesday of the month, 7:30pm, Graf City Building at the end of Lola Lane. Contact Kurt if you plan to attend a meeting so he can provide the date of the next meeting.

Attractions in Graf 
Heritage Trail
Graf is located at the center of the 26-mile Heritage Trail, used for biking, jogging, walking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and enjoying nature. Heritage Trail connects Dubuque and Dyersville and is located along an abandoned line of the Chicago Great Western Railroad.


Graf Park 
The nine-acre park is owned and operated by the Dubuque County Conservation Office. The park is located adjacent to Heritage Trail and along Little Maquoketa Creek. If offers playground equipment, two pavilions, and primitive restroom facilities. The pavilions can be rented by contacting the Dubuque County Conservation Office at 563-556-6745.


Fossils
Cephalopods are abundant along Graf Road, just south of Graf Park. Bring along a hammer for hours of fossil hunting fun.

By Bike
Graf is located at the center of Heritage Trail, approximately 13 miles from either Sageville or Dyersville.

By Car 
From Dubuque: Follow Asbury Road west. After you pass Sundown Mountain and go down into the valley and across the river, you will come to Graf Road, immediately before an electrical power station. Turn left onto Graf Road and drive approximately 3 miles into Graf.
From Highway 20: Take the Peosta exit off Highway 20 and go north into Peosta on Sundown Road. Stay on Sundown Road until it meets with Old Highway Road. Turn left onto Old Highway Road and follow it to Graf Road (the first road to the right). Turn right onto Graf Road and stay on Graf Road until you arrive in Graf (this will require you to turn right after each bridge you cross).

Click here for a map, courtesy of MapQuest. 

City Ordinances 
Animal Control
Burning Ordinance
Construction Permits
Junk Vehicles
Subdivision Regulations
Weapons Ordinance
Restricted Residence District
Flood Plain Ordinance 


Max Levy Notices and Resolutions
Max Levy Notice 2021-2022
Max Levy Notice 2022-2023
Max Levy Notice 2023-2024

Property Tax Notices
Property Tax Notice 2024-2025

Garbage Service
The residents of Graf have garbage pickup on Tuesdays. The cost for garbage pickup is paid for by the Town of Graf. Please limit garbage to one 35 gallon container per week. Recyclable items should be placed in the Recycle Dumpster located at the end of Lola Lane. Please do not put glass in the Recycle Dumpster. If you wish, you can take glass bottles/jars to the designated dumpster at Dittmer Recycling located at 1755 Radford Rd. Household hazardous waste can be taken to the Dubuque Landfill for proper disposal.


High Speed Internet 
Graf residents can purchase high speed internet service through Maquoketa Valley Electric Cooperative: https://mvec.coop/


Emergency
In case of emergency – call 911. Fire and ambulance service is provided by the Epworth Fire Department. They will arrive in approximately 10-15 minutes. The Town purchased an AED that can be used to save someone having a heart attack. The AED is in the pump house on Lola Ln. It is easy to use and gives voice instructions during use. Use of the AED before the ambulance arrives can greatly increase chances of survival.


Severe Weather
The Town of Graf does not have a severe weather alert system. Because of this, the town provides each resident with NOAA weather radios which will provide severe weather alerts. Residents that do not have a NOAA weather radio should contact the City Clerk.


Acknowledgements
The Town of Graf would like to thank the Dubuque Racing Association for a $5,000 grant to purchase two radar speed signs during 2015. These signs display motorist's current speed to discourage speeding and make Graf streets safer.


Contact Us
Kurt Chipperfield, Graf City Clerk 
Phone: 563-583-5773

Postal Mail 
10294 Emberwood Drive 
Dubuque, IA 52001 

Email: graf.iowa@gmail.com


Please click on the link for information regarding the Dubuque County Code Red Emergency Notification System.