History

Sergeant Floyd Tug at Sioux City

The history of Sioux City region state shows that it was initially inhibited by Native Americans. Europeans first came in contact with the native people during the eighteenth century, when Spanish and French fur trappers plied the Missouri River. In 1803, during the presidency of Thomas Jefferson, France sold a vast portion of central North America to the United States of America under the “Louisiana Purchase” . The Lewis and Clark expedition traveled up the Missouri and set-up camp near would be Sioux City, Iowa in 1804. William Thompson established a trading post near Floyd’s Bluff in 1848.

Later Theophile Bruguier, a French-Canadian fur trader, is considered the first white settler in Sioux City. In 1849, Bruguier established his farm including log cabins and tipis used by the family of War Eagle. In 1852 he sold the land from Perry Creek east to the Floyd River to Joseph Leonais. At about that time, Bruguier encouraged James A. Jackson, a fur trade outfitter from Council Bluffs, to come upriver to establish a trading post. Jackson, in turn, convinced his father-in-law, Dr. John K. Cook, of the area’s potential as a future city; Cook, an English-born Oxford-educated physician turned frontier surveyor, was most impressed by the location at the mouths of the Big Sioux and Floyd Rivers at the Missouri. In his official capacity as United States Federal Government surveyor, Dr. Cook established the little town of Sioux City in 1854. Joseph Leonais sold the land to Dr. Cook. Within 3 years the new town had a population of 400 people and incorporated as a city. The first steamboat arrived from St. Louis in June 1856, loaded with ready-framed houses and provisions. The railroad first arrived in 1868. About that time a few small factories opened. In 1873, James Booge opened the first large-scale meatpacking plant and created a demand which ultimately led to the opening of the livestock yards in 1884. The population of Sioux City increased from 7,500 in 1880 to 38,700 in 1890. Street cars, water works, electric lights and other improvements appeared. Factories, jobbing houses, meatpacking plants, retail stores and railroads increasingly came on the scene. The city’s building boom included an elevated railroad and early “skyscrapers”. President Grover Cleveland visited in 1887.Heavy rain caused flood in May 1892; and at least three thousand people were left homeless. The nationwide Financial Panic of 1893 resulted in number of real estate investors and entrepreneurs in Sioux City losing great paper fortunes. Edwin Peters, the developer and promoter of Morningside, claimed to have lost $1.5 million, only to be left with a debt of $7,000.In 1898, all units of the Iowa National Guard were called to active duty in the War with Spain. The 49th and 50th entrained for South Florida but did not reach Cuba. The 51st was sent to the Philippines and engaged in combat action there. A gentleman named Peirce was a colorful and flamboyant character, a decorated Union Army veteran wounded in the Civil War, and a major promoter during Sioux City’s 19th Century boom years. Like other businessman, Peirce had been hurt very badly by the financial panic of 1893 and later he started a lottery. Thus, Sioux City has the dubious distinction of having one of its busiest thoroughfares named after a grifter, while his former domicile serves as the City Museum.

Economy

Diversity is the key advantage of the Sioux City metro’s business environment. Because of its unique location at the confluence of three states namely Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota; the business prospects have a choice of three economic development programs, three tax structures and regulatory environments of three states. All these means flexible environment for business development in the area. The business environment is ably supported by TSI (Three Siouxland Initiative); an agency working hard to make the businesses successful. In 1988, local community and business leaders formed The Siouxland Initiative (TSI) to stimulate economic growth in the tri-state region. Three fund drives over the past ten years have raised nearly 9 million dollars from Sioux City metro communities and corporations to support the programs and staffing of TSI. The Siouxland Chamber of Commerce is responsible for administering the activities of the Initiative.

The Floyd River Valley was Sioux City’s core industrial region, home to nearly all of its major industries and much of its railroad infrastructure as well as thousands of Sioux City’s citizens,” says Anderson. “Repeated Floyd River floods caused tens of millions of dollars in damage and left over forty people dead. Floods and the threat of floods were a constant burden on Sioux City’s economy and a source of dread for those who lived along its banks.” Aalfs Manufacturing Company, owned and run by the founding Aalfs family, just might have a gene for the jeans business. Terra Industries Inc., headquartered in Sioux City, is recognized throughout the area as a solid, progressive and stable corporation. Terra employs approximately 1,300 people in the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom, with an annual payroll of about $70 million. The company reported $1 billion in revenues for 2000. Terra’s roots are deeply embedded in the Sioux City area. The company employs about 100 in its corporate offices in downtown Sioux City, as well as about 100 people at its manufacturing plant near Sergeant Bluff, Iowa.

Attractions

Floyd Monument

Floyd Monument

This is the first registered national historic landmark in the United States.

Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center

This remarkable nature center has modern meeting rooms, a library, and incredible nature trails.

Stone State Park

Electricity, fishing, and hiking are available at this beautiful State Park

Snyder Bend Park

This park offers wonderful opportunities for boating and fishing.

Floyd River Trail/River’s Edge

A beautiful trail offering 7.5 miles of hiking, biking, cross country skiing