Cedar Rapids, Iowa


Cedar Rapids is located in the central-eastern part and is the second largest city in the U.S. State of Iowa. The City of Five Seasons. Cedar Rapids is the largest corn processing city in the world and the second largest producer of wind energy in the United States. According to Forbes Magazine, Cedar Rapids is one of the best places for business and careers.



To See And To Do In Cedar Rapids


  • Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
  • Cedar Rapids History Center
  • Downtown
  • Brucemore Museum
  • Visit a couple of the 74 parks
  • Veterans Memorial Building
  • The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
  • African American Museum of Iowa


History Of Cedar Rapids - Timeline


In 1838, Osgood Shepherd, the first permanent settler, lived in a cabin on the east side of the river. More settlers arrived and the village was called Columbus. In 1841, the village changed the name to Rapids. The grist and lumber industries now grow and a dam was built to provide power for the industries.

In 1848, the name was changed to Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids was incorporated in 1849. The city's railroad connection around 1850 led to Cedar Rapids' role as a major Midwest industrial center. In 1868, The Calder Houses were built by Charles Calder. In 1869, the city got its first fire department.

In 1871, The T.M. Sinclair Company started. It was one of the largest packing houses in the world. In 1873, Quaker Oats, begun in Cedar Rapids in and is still the largest cereal mill in the world. In 1880, the Indian Creek Bridge was completed and Greene's Opera House was built. In 1883, the daily newspaper "The Gazette" was founded.

In 1900, more than 25,600 people lived in the city. In 1908, the city began development of its unique Municipal Island. In 1920, the First Avenue Bridge was completed. In 1927, the Hotel Roosevelt in downtown opened and the Scottish Rite Temple was built.

In 1928, the 6-story brick building "Paramount Theatre" was built and it was home to the Orchestra Iowa. The Cedar Rapids Gazette won a Pulitzer Prize in 1936.

In 1978, the famous actor "Ashton Kutcher" was born in the city and in 1981, "Elijah Wood", another famous actor was born in the city. More than 300 City facilities were damaged by the Flood of 2008. The level of damage was greater than the city had anticipated.