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Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Located in Linn County, Iowa, Cedar Rapids was established in 1838. The 2020 derecho hit Cedar Rapids with 140 mph winds, damaging 90% of buildings. Grant Wood, painter of American Gothic, was based in Cedar Rapids.
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Founded 1838 | Population 137,710 | Peak 137,710 (2024) | County Linn County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Cedar Rapids, Iowa

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1838 Settlement Founded: Settlers arrive at Cedar River rapids.
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1871 Quaker Oats Plant Opens: Cereal production makes Cedar Rapids a major food processing center.
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1927 Grant Wood Paints: American Gothic artist based in Cedar Rapids; later paints iconic work.
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2008 Historic Flood: Cedar River crests at 31.1 feet; 10 sq miles of city underwater. 1,300 blocks flooded.
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2020 Derecho Storm: Inland hurricane-force winds devastate city; 140 mph gusts damage 90% of buildings.
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Latest News in Cedar Rapids

Jan 28, 2016
Trump Takes Risk Skipping Debate Challenging Murdoch
DES MOINES, Iowa — On January 28, 2016, Donald Trump made a bold call that shook up the Republican primary race: he skipped a ke…
Jan 25, 2016
Jeb Bush Polling One Percent Iowa and 4 Percent Florida
WASHINGTON — Jeb Bush’s presidential bid hit a rough patch on January 25, 2016, as polls showed him languishing at just 1 …

Complete Historical Timeline

1838 Culture
Settlement Founded
1871 Industry
Quaker Oats Plant Opens
1927 Culture
Grant Wood Paints
2008 Disaster
Historic Flood
2020 Disaster
Derecho Storm

Did You Know?

1
The 2020 derecho hit Cedar Rapids with 140 mph winds, damaging 90% of buildings.
2
Grant Wood, painter of American Gothic, was based in Cedar Rapids.
3
Cedar Rapids is one of the largest cereal processing cities in the world.
4
Cedar Rapids is located in Linn County, Iowa.
5
Cedar Rapids was founded in 1838.

Famous People from Cedar Rapids, Iowa

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Elijah Wood
Actor, Disc Jockey · Born Jan 28, 1981 · Age 45
AK
Ashton Kutcher
Actor, Comedian · Born Feb 7, 1978 · Age 48
CV
Carl Van Vechten
Screenwriter, Photographer · Born Jun 17, 1880 · Died Dec 21, 1964 (age 84)
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Michael Emerson
Actor, Stage Actor · Born Sep 7, 1954 · Age 71
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Ron Livingston
Actor, Stage Actor · Born Jun 5, 1967 · Age 58

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