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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

May 9, 2016
Struggling Republican Bush Brings Out Big Gun his Mom
Washington, D.C. – In a bid to revive his flagging presidential campaign, Jeb Bush turned to an unlikely ally on May 9, 2016…
Apr 17, 2016
Bill Clinton Hits Iowa Democratic Primary Intensifies
IOWA CITY, Iowa — On April 17, 2016, former President Bill Clinton hit the campaign trail in Iowa, stumping hard for his wife, H…
Mar 13, 2016
Poll Clinton Regains Lead Battleground State Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa (March 13, 2016) — Hillary Clinton bounced back in a big way this week, reclaiming the lead in Iowa according t…
Feb 27, 2016
Hillary Clinton Barely Wins Iowa Caucus Virtual Tie Bernie Sanders
DES MOINES, Iowa – Hillary Clinton eked out a razor-thin victory in the Iowa Democratic Caucus on February 1, 2016, leaving the …
Feb 24, 2016
Knoxville Iowa Refuses Remove Display Soldier Kneeling Cross
Knoxville, Iowa – In a small Iowa town that often flies under the radar, residents dug in their heels last week over a memorial …
Feb 6, 2016
Donald Trump Says Ted Cruz Canadian Owned Goldman Sachs
New Hampshire, February 6, 2016 – In the thick of the Republican presidential primary, Donald Trump didn’t hold back as he…

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)
ME
Michael Emerson
Actor, Stage Actor · Born Sep 7, 1954 · Age 71
RL
Ron Livingston
Actor, Stage Actor · Born Jun 5, 1967 · Age 58

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