Sioux City in Woodbury County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Stockyards Garden
September 26, 2026
1. The Stockyards Garden Marker
1881 Birth of the Stockyards
James Booge, known as the father of Sioux City's livestock industry, constructed the first permanent packing house in Sioux City. Sioux City's proximity to an expansive railroad system helped the James E. Booge & Sons packing plant sell meat to markets near and far. Approximate present day location: Leech Ave east of Steuben Street.
James E. Booge & Sons packing plant
1887 The Boom Era
The Sioux City Stock Yards Co. (approximate present day location: 2001 Leech Ave.) was formed in 1887 and led by Daniel Hedges, James Booge, John Peirce, and Ed Haakinson. Silberhorn, Fowler, and the first Livestock Exchange were also founded in 1887. The stockyards experienced record sales year after year.
Silberhorn Packing Co., c. 1890
Union Stock Yards Co. pens
Silberhorn interior, c. 1890
1891 Consolidation & Growth
Central Stock Yards merged with Union Stock Yards and claimed land to the south of the Sioux City Stock Yards Company. Approximate present day location: former location of KD Stockyard Station building.
1892 Disasters Strike
The Floyd River flooded well beyond its
this page online
Floyd River flood aftermath
1894 Reconstruction
Fred L. Eaton succeeded at revitalizing the stockyards through reorganization of the Sioux City Stock Yards Company. Scores of new packing businesses opened in the wake of Eaton's reorganization. Eaton also kickstarted the Inter-State Livestock Fair Association at Woodland Park, an agricultural heritage celebration featuring livestock, horse and auto races, games, amusement parks, and exhibit halls.
Inter-State Fair Midway
Where did they go?
Sioux City's meat industry was a staple of the city's economy for over a century. The Stockyards experienced peaks and declines over its long history, and at one time was ranked first in the nation (1973). Unfortunately changing policies in the livestock industry and economic issues like the Farm Crisis resulted
September 26, 2026
2. The Stockyards Garden Marker
Photos Courtesy of the Sioux City Public Museum
Approximate Present Day Locations
Scale and building configurations for illustration purposes only.
Erected by Sioux City and the Gilchrist Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is May 18, 1892.
Location. 42° 29.257′ N, 96° 24.005′ W. Marker is in Sioux City, Iowa, in Woodbury County. It is on Larsen Park Road 1.6 miles east of Hamilton Boulevard, on the right when traveling east. Located in Chris Larsen Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1280 Larsen Park Rd, Sioux City IA 51101, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Western Iowa and in Loess Hills. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically,
September 26, 2026
3. The Stockyards Garden Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Siouxland Landmarks (within shouting distance of this marker); South Side Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Barges & Channelization (approx. 0.3 miles away); Flooding in Sioux City (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Spirit of Siouxland (approx. half a mile away); The South Bottoms (approx. half a mile away); Siouxland Veterans Memorial Bridge (approx. 0.6 miles away); Pacific Short Line Bridge (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sioux City.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2026. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 10, 2026.
