History of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA

1854 - Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids, a thriving post-village of Linn county, Iowa, on Red Cedar river, 25 miles N. from Iowa City. It is situated in a healthful and fertile region, and has an active business. The water-power of the river is applied to mills of various kinds.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1871 - Woman Chief Engineer of Fire Department
At Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Miss S. C. Gardner has made such timely discoveries of fires, and has rendered assistance thereat so coolly and efficiently, that the City Council is about to appoint her Chief Engineer of the Fire Department.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
January 7, 1871

1872 - Bad Game
Mr. S. Levi, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, recently held a pistol in his hands, and in a playful manner, pointed it towards his body, saying, "Here goes my life!" It proved to be loaded, and the ball entered his side just below the heart, inflicting a probably mortal wound.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 16, 1872

1882 - Storm
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, June 23. - The following particulars have been learned of the storm of Thursday; It was a hurricane - not a tornado -- and swept over all area of 20 miles in width; some damage was done at Walker and Rowley; also as far north as Oliver. The centre of the greatest force and destructiveness was at Independence. The storm broke in its greatest fury about 5 P. M., blowing from the north-west with a straight wind, without a tornado funnel. In a few minutes property valued a $150,000 was destroyed, two lives were lost and 10 persons were injured, two of them dangerously. The killed were ALBERT RIRKE, aged 11 years, and his brother, aged 18 years. The latter was killed by the moving of the house on its foundation as he was going to the cellar, and the former was crushed by the falling roof of the house as he was leaving it in fright. The streets were thronged with people, and the wonder is no more were injured. There was a scene of great confusion on the streets, women... Read MORE...

1895 - Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids, a city of Linn co., £ on the Cedar River, and on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad where it crosses the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Rail road, 81 miles W. of Clinton, 79 miles S.W. of Dubuque, and 98 miles N.N.W. of Burlington. A bridge crosses the river here. This city has increased rapidly since 1860. It is lighted with gas and electricity, and has 2 national banks, a high school, the Coe Collegiate Institute, a business college, 12 churches, 4 grist-mills, 2 large breweries, and manufactures of machinery, carriages, and agricultural implements and machines, and printing-offices which issue a daily and 6 weekly newspapers and 1 monthly and 2 semi-monthly journals. The rapids of the river furnish motive power for several mills. Pop. in 1860, 1830; in 1870, 5940; in 1880, 10,104; in 1890, 18,020.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1903 - BURN TO DEATH IN HOTEL FIRE. MANY KILLED AND INJURED IN CEDAR RAPIDS HOLOCAUST. CLIFTON HOUSE BURNS. STRUCTURE TOTALLY WRECKED - MANY JUMP FROM UPPER WINDOWS.
PITIFUL AND SICKENING SIGHTS FOLLOW JUMPS FOR LIFE - INJURED REMOVED TO IMPROMPTU HOSPITALS - DELEGATES TO CONVENTION WERE GUESTS.

(By Associated Press)
Cedar Rapids, Feb. 20. - Between fifteen and twenty persons were burned to death and twice that number were seriously injured in the fire that destroyed the Clifton hotel at 2 o'clock this morning. There were 120 guests in the hotel when the fire broke out. Most of the dead are buried in the debris. Owing to the destruction of the hotel register, the names of the missing have not yet been obtained.

The Dead.
The dead are:
W. A. MOWREY, of What Cheer.
An Unknown Woman.

Fatally Injured.
The fatally injured are:
TINA BURNS, waitress.
G. C. BURNTET of Nebraska City, Neb.
DR. C. GROVE of Cedar Rapids.
Conductor P. E. STRICKLAND of Caton jumped from a third story window. His leg was broken and he was injured internally.

The Injured.
The seriously injured are:
SINDA WILLIAMS; LIZZIE KELLY; EMMA SMITH; BEATRICE... Read MORE...

1916
Cedar Rapids, a city of Linn co., Iowa, on the Cedar River and on the Chicago and Northwestern, the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern and other railroads, 98 miles NNW. of Burlington. It is the seat of Coe College, and has breweries and manufactures of machinery, carriages, agricultural implements, cigars, egg-supplies, etc. It has extensive pork-packing industries and contains the shops of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern R. The rapids of the river furnish good motive power. Pop. in 1860, 1830 ; in 1890, 18,020 ; in 1900, 25,656.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

1928 - November 11 - WMT-AM in Cedar Rapids IA begins radio transmissions

historyorb.com

1953 - September 30 - WMT TV channel 2 in Cedar Rapids-Waterloo, IA (CBS) begins

historyorb.com

1956 - FLOOR OF BRIDGE DROPS; COUPLE IN FALLING CAR HURT.
Cedar Rapids News -
The concrete floor of the bridge over Prairie Creek on C street SW collapsed at noon Monday and a Worthington Acres couple were injured when their car plunged into the void and turned over.
Injured were MR. and MRS. GEORGE D. WASENDORF. He is 56, MRS. WASENDORF is 40.

MRS. WASENDORF was most seriously hurt. She suffered a broken right leg, lacerations about the face and injuries to her left leg. Her husband suffered lacerations of the face and injuries to his left leg and chest. Both were taken to Mercy Hospital for treatment.

WASENDORF was driving south toward home when the accident took place. The 35-foot slab apparently dropped out right before his eyes. Police said 49-feet of skid marks indicated WASENDORF had done everything he could to stop his car in time.

The car skidded to the hole, nosed over and landed on its top on the slab, which remained in a tilted position leaning down from the south abutment of the bridge.

WASENDORF was thrown clear,... Read MORE...

1960 - August 18 - 1st photograph bounced off a satellite, Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Richardson, Texas

historyorb.com

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Cedar Rapids:
National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library:

Explore the rich cultural history of Czech and Slovak people through exhibits and artifacts. The museum often hosts events and educational programs.

NewBo City Market:

A vibrant marketplace featuring local vendors, shops, and eateries. It's a great place to pick up unique gifts, fresh produce, or enjoy a delicious meal.

Brucemore Mansion:

Visit this historic mansion and estate, once home to the prominent Sinclair family. The grounds are beautiful, and tours provide insight into the city's history.

Indian Creek Nature Center:

If you enjoy the outdoors, this nature center offers trails, wildlife viewing, and educational programs. It's a peaceful place to connect with nature.

Cedar Rapids Museum of Art:

Home to a diverse collection of artworks, including pieces by Grant Wood, a regionalist painter famous for "American Gothic."

African American Museum of Iowa:

Learn about the history and contributions of African... Read MORE...