Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids
The second largest city in the U.S. state of Iowa is the City of Cedar Rapids. It is the county seat of Linn County. The city is an exuberant center for arts and theatre in Eastern Iowa, as it comprises the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, the Paramount Theatre, and the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance.

Being an economic hub of the state, Cedar Rapids is home to many large businesses and industries. Cedar Rapids is a great place to live or visit as the city has a lot to offer.

Located in Boone County, in north-central Nebraska, in the heart of the Cedar Valley, Cedar Rapids is only 9 miles west of Nebraska Highway 14. The city lies on both banks of the Cedar River, 20 miles north of Iowa City and 100 miles east of Des Moines, which is the state's capital and largest city.

The city is one of only a few cities in the world to have governmental offices on a municipal island. The citys name Cedar Rapids is derived from the Cedar River, and it is often nicknamed as the City of Five Seasons, where the fifth season is a time to enjoy the other usual four seasons.

The Tree of Five Seasons sculpture in downtown Cedar Rapids along the north river bank is the symbol of the five seasons. One can see the name Five Seasons and representations of the sculpture appear throughout the city in many forms.

Today what is known as Cedar Rapids was once the territory of the Fox and Sac tribes. The city established in 1838 and the first settler was in the area was Osgood Shepherd. The town was first called Columbus, but later in 1841, renamed by N.B. Brown and his Wiktionary:associates as Cedar Rapids for the abundance of cedar trees growing along the banks of the fast running river which ran adjacent to the village.

The city was incorporated on January 15, 1849. Later in 1870, the City of Cedar Rapids annexed the community of Kingston. In the following year, i.e. 1871, the economic growth of Cedar Rapids increased upon the founding of the Sinclair meatpacking company, and a branch line of Union Pacific began operations through Cedar Rapids on November 28, 1884.

The City of Cedar Rapids has been residence to famous figures for the United States, including American Gothic painter Grant Wood, journalist and historian William L. Shirer, writer and photographer Carl Van Vechten, and aerodynamics pioneer Dr. Alexander Lippisch.

Today, the Cedar Rapids area enjoys a diverse economy. The city balances its historical agribusiness base with technology-based industries.

Home to several large businesses like General Mills, Cargill, Alliant Energy, GE Commercial Finance, Rockwell Collins, Quaker Oats, AEGON, United Fire and Casualty, Toyota Financial Services, PAETEC, Archer Daniels Midland, Qwest, GreatAmerica Leasing, RuffaloCODY, PMX, Nordstrom, Square D and CRST International, Cedar Rapids it is the economic heart of the state of Iowa.

Other than this, Cedar Rapids is home to a Lutheran, a United Methodist, and a Catholic Church. The city also pays a lot of attention on its educational system. The Cedar Rapids Public School system is known not only for student projects and innovations in the school curriculum but also for its beautiful athletic field, including a track, football field, softball field and trees of all types. The State Champion American Buckeye tree graces the front of the building complex.

When it comes to arts, culture and entertainment, Cedar City does not lag behind even in that as the city is home to The Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra, The Paramount Theatre, Theatre Cedar Rapids, and Brucemore-A National Trust Historic Site, among others.

Cedar Rapids is a great place to explore and the various museums situated in the city play a very vital role in exploring and explaining the history and culture of the area. These museums include the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Legion Art's CSPS Museum, the National Czech & Slovak Museum, the African American Historical Museum, Kirkwood Community College's Iowa Hall Gallery, and the legendary Grant Wood Studio at 5 Turner Alley.

These buildings also act as venues that have housed and still house world class and award nominated exhibitions, including the works of Andy Warhol, Grant Wood, and the Iowa Biennial, and a lot more. However, in June 2008, the city was washed-up by a flood, and many arts centers got affected by it.

The ones which got affected the most include the Paramount Theatre, Theatre Cedar Rapids, the National Czech & Slovak Museum, and the African American Historical Museum.

Two Wurlitzer organs were damaged, located at the Paramount Theatre and Theatre Cedar Rapids. It is expected to cost $25 million to repair the Paramount, and the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art suffered minor damage.

The Cedar Rapids area offers delicious and unique dining experiences that can't be found anywhere else. The most popular restaurants in the area are Cranky Hank's Incorporated, Granite City Food & Brewery, and Pei's Mandarin Restaurant.

So come and visit this beautiful city of Cedar Rapids that offers an abundance of fun activities wrapped up in a great Midwestern package.