Waverly in Bremer County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Waverly Cedar River Dam

Waverly's Cedar River Dam, 1853-1914

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2021

1. Waverly Cedar River Dam Marker

Inscription. “A dam was thrown across the river, logs, stone and other
material being used in its construction...”
Account of Harmon building the first dam in 1853,
(History of Butler and Bremer Counties, Iowa)
The Cedar River was recognized by the earliest European settlers for its immense power capability; the natural fall in the river made it a good location for a dam. William P. Harmon, the founder of Waverly, built a cabin for his family in 1853 on the heavily wooded east side of the river, and in that same year built a dam of stone and timbers to power his saw mill, which would provide lumber for the growing town.

Additional water-powered mills followed, including a flour mill and a woolen mill. By the 1880's entrepreneurs had built a more uniform and durable crib dam to harness the power of the river for industrial use. The crib dam was constructed using large timbers connected with steel spikes to form “cribs,” then hand-filled with stone to add weight (see scale model).

The mechanism that turned the river's power into work for the mills was the water wheel. In later years, a water turbine would be similarly used to turn a shaft and power a generator, creating electricity.

In 1890 the City of Waverly purchased the dam, mills, and water rights. In 1892 the dam was leased

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to a private company that built a hydro-electric plant, and as the turn of the century approached, Waverly began to see the widespread use of electricity. After the company neglected the maintenance of the dam and the city was forced to make necessary repairs, the city took full ownership of the hydro-electric plant in 1904. The crib dam remained until 1915.

[photo captions]

• A view of the Cedar River dam in Waverly, looking north, Circa 1910
• William P. Harmon, built the first dam in Waverly to power his saw mill.

(Background photo courtesy of the Waverly Historic Photo Collection at the Waverly Public Library.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.

Location. 42° 43.582′ N, 92° 28.297′ W. Marker is in Waverly, Iowa, in Bremer County. It is on 1st Street Northwest just north of East Bremer Avenue (Iowa Route 3), on the right when traveling north. The marker is located along the walkway in Kohlmann Park, overlooking the Cedar River Dam. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 212 1st Street Northwest, Waverly IA 50677, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Iowa. It is also 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: A different marker also named Waverly Cedar River Dam (here, next to this marker); a different

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2021

2. Waverly Cedar River Dam Marker

Looking east. Cedar River Dam in background.

marker also named Waverly Cedar River Dam (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Waverly Cedar River Dam (a few steps from this marker); The Bremer Avenue Bridge over the Cedar River (within shouting distance of this marker); Rock Island Depot (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rock Island Railroad (approx. 0.2 miles away); Shades Of Rhythm Story (approx. 0.2 miles away); Railroad Memories (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waverly.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Waverly Cedar River Dam

Waverly Cedar River Dam Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2021

3. Waverly Cedar River Dam Markers

This is the leftmost of 4 related markers at this location.

Cedar River Dam (<i>view from near marker</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2021

4. Cedar River Dam (view from near marker)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 23, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 481 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 24, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.