Cedar Falls in Black Hawk County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Historic Cedar Falls

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, August 16, 2023

1. Historic Cedar Falls Marker

Inscription.

Historic Cedar Falls. . , On lands acquired by the USA from Sac and Fox (Mesquakie) Indians in 1842, William Sturgis and Erasmus O. Adams settled near this spot along the Cedar River in 1845. Sturgis began construction of a dam and mill and the site became known as Sturgis Falls, the first permanent settlement in Black Hawk County. Early residents were Andrew Hullarky; John and Dempsey Overman, who completed the mill; A. J. Taylor and wife, the first "schoolmarm"; Peter Melendy, Zimri Streeter, Samuel H. Rownd; Moses Sawyer, S. A. Bishop, C. A. Wise, and others. The hamlet soon counted seven mills along its mill race. In 1849 it was incorporated as a village and the site name changed to Cedar Falls. Key developments in the city's history were: 1855: Cedar Falls loses the battle for the county courthouse to Waterloo. 1861: Illinois Central Railroad builds as far as Cedar Falls. 1861--1865: Cedar Falls stands strongly pro-Union during the civil War. 1865: Illinois Central Railroad resumes westward construction. 1860s: Danish migration to Cedar Falls and vicinity begins. 1876: Iowa State Normal School founded; later known as Iowa State Teachers College, State College of Iowa, University of Northern Iowa. , 1882-1950: Danish-language newspaper, Dannevirke, enjoys influential career. 1904: Invention of a rotary pump by Jens Nielsen, local quarry owner, leads to formation of Viking Pump Company in 1911, the city's largest employer. 1918: John Deere Company comes to Waterloo, with profound social and economic effects on Cedar Falls. Meanwhile the Clay Equipment Company (farm machinery) and many similar companies contributed greatly to the growth of Cedar Falls, "The Lawn City," a cultural, educational, recreational, and religious capital of Northeast Iowa. The Interdenominational Bible Conference has held annual encampments since 1922. The Cedar River, George Wyth Park, and Black Hawk Park are widely enjoyed sources of pleasure. Every census except 1910 has shown an increase in population. The figure in 1970 was 29,597. In 1980, about 36,000. Prominent residents have been: Bess Streeter Aldrich, novelist; Homer H. Seerley, college president; John Livingston, aviator; Ruth Suckow, novelist.

On lands acquired by the USA from Sac and Fox (Mesquakie) Indians in 1842, William Sturgis and Erasmus O. Adams settled near this spot along the Cedar River in 1845. Sturgis began construction of a dam and mill and the site became known as Sturgis Falls, the first permanent settlement in Black Hawk County. Early residents were Andrew Hullarky; John and Dempsey Overman, who completed the mill; A. J. Taylor and wife, the first "schoolmarm"; Peter Melendy, Zimri Streeter, Samuel H. Rownd; Moses Sawyer, S. A. Bishop, C. A. Wise, and others. The hamlet soon counted seven mills along its mill race. In 1849 it was incorporated as a village and the site name changed to Cedar Falls. Key developments in the city's history were: 1855: Cedar Falls loses the battle for the county courthouse to Waterloo. 1861: Illinois Central Railroad builds as far as Cedar Falls. 1861--1865: Cedar Falls stands strongly pro-Union during the civil War. 1865: Illinois Central Railroad resumes westward construction. 1860s: Danish migration to Cedar Falls and vicinity begins. 1876: Iowa State Normal School founded; later known as Iowa State Teachers College,

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State College of Iowa, University of Northern Iowa.

1882-1950: Danish-language newspaper, Dannevirke, enjoys influential career. 1904: Invention of a rotary pump by Jens Nielsen, local quarry owner, leads to formation of Viking Pump Company in 1911, the city's largest employer. 1918: John Deere Company comes to Waterloo, with profound social and economic effects on Cedar Falls. Meanwhile the Clay Equipment Company (farm machinery) and many similar companies contributed greatly to the growth of Cedar Falls, "The Lawn City," a cultural, educational, recreational, and religious capital of Northeast Iowa. The Interdenominational Bible Conference has held annual encampments since 1922. The Cedar River, George Wyth Park, and Black Hawk Park are widely enjoyed sources of pleasure. Every census except 1910 has shown an increase in population. The figure in 1970 was 29,597. In 1980, about 36,000. Prominent residents have been: Bess Streeter Aldrich, novelist; Homer H. Seerley, college president; John Livingston, aviator; Ruth Suckow, novelist.

Erected 1981 by owa State Historical Department, Division of the State Historical Society and

Historic Cedar Falls Marker Reverse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, August 16, 2023

2. Historic Cedar Falls Marker Reverse

Iowa Department of Transportation. (Marker Number 40.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Iowa - State Historical Society of Iowa series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1842.

Location. 42° 32.31′ N, 92° 26.946′ W. Marker is in Cedar Falls, Iowa, in Black Hawk County. It is on Center Street. The marker is in Riverview Park near the Ice House Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 121 Center Street, Cedar Falls IA 50613, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ice House Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Sturgis Park (about 300 feet

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, August 16, 2023

3. Historic Cedar Falls Marker

away, measured in a direct line); Lawn City (about 400 feet away); Millrace (about 400 feet away); Jacob Hoffman Cabin (approx. 0.2 miles away); Overman Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Soldiers Monument (approx. 0.4 miles away); Replica of the Statue of Liberty (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cedar Falls.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, August 16, 2023

4. Historic Cedar Falls Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,014 times since then and 134 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 22, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.