Sioux Rapids, Iowa

Two early surveyors, Lane and Ray, found the area so attractive for settlement that in 1855 they illegally laid a claim and built a cabin in section 12 of Barnes Township and over-wintered there.{{cite web | url=https://www.stormlake.com/articles/early-history-of-buena-vista-county-and-lee-township/ | title=Early history of Buena Vista County and Lee Township }} William S. Lee was a wealthy New Yorker who came to Sioux Rapids in 1858, staked a very early claim, and soon controversially acquired around 60,000 acres of “swamp land” at 16¢ per acre. For this he was contracted to build a courthouse and construct a bridge over the Little Sioux River, but never did. He sold large amounts of this land, but after years of legal action, Lee and his purchasers lost all their claims in 1882 in a final case against them. Lee returned to New York in 1863 to educate his children, returning in 1868 to find his early claim had been “jumped” by a William Fuller. In 1870, after reversal of an earlier decision, Fuller was allowed to keep his land, in a protracted case finally decided by the US Secretary of the Interior. In 1868, Fletcher Americus Blake he built the first frame house in Sioux Rapids, and with T.W. Twiford the first flour mill in the county, using the Little Sioux River for water power. His mill also operated as a saw mill. In the 1870 census he is listed as a manufacturer with real estate worth $4,500. Blake was the first postmaster in Sioux Rapids and the first person from the county to be elected to the Iowa House, serving in the 1872 session. That year he sold his mill and moved to Denver for health reasons. In 1869 David Evans and lawyer D. C. Thomas bought out the Ridgeway homestead and the present town of Sioux Rapids was platted out. On the Lee 1870 census, David is a substantial landowner and also blacksmith. He was in this business with his son-in-law H. W. Mayne until 1881. In 1889 he sold his remaining town lots to buy a farm in Clay County near Linn Grove. During the 50th anniversary for Sioux Rapids, on July 4, 1905, Evans rode together in the “Historic Parade” with his 89 year old, long time buddy, Johnny Burr, another ex-soldier pioneer hunter-trapper and faithful attendant at Abner Bell’s deathbed in 1895. The Evans and their wives are buried at Linn Grove, with many other Welsh pioneers.

Sioux Rapids was named from the Rapids on the Little Sioux River.{{cite book|author=Chicago and North Western Railway Company|title=A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OspBAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA125|year=1908|page=125}} In 1869, Sioux Rapids was designated the county seat of Buena Vista County. In 1876, the courthouse at Sioux Rapids burned, and in 1878, the county seat was transferred to Storm Lake.{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_bH8HtIwXzdcC | title=History of Western Iowa, Its Settlement and Growth | publisher=Western Publishing Company | year=1882 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_bH8HtIwXzdcC/page/n440 441]}}

Sioux Rapids is located on the Little Sioux River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|0.82|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2012-05-11|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=2012-01-25}}

Gustafson Lake, as well as Gabrielson Park, are located south of the town.

{{Weather box

|location = Sioux Rapids, Iowa (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1941−present)

|single line = Y

|width = auto

|collapsed = Y

|Jan record high F = 68

|Feb record high F = 67

|Mar record high F = 87

|Apr record high F = 94

|May record high F = 103

|Jun record high F = 105

|Jul record high F = 107

|Aug record high F = 105

|Sep record high F = 101

|Oct record high F = 95

|Nov record high F = 81

|Dec record high F = 68

|year record high F = 107

|Jan avg record high F = 46.9

|Feb avg record high F = 51.0

|Mar avg record high F = 69.5

|Apr avg record high F = 82.9

|May avg record high F = 89.5

|Jun avg record high F = 92.7

|Jul avg record high F = 91.6

|Aug avg record high F = 90.0

|Sep avg record high F = 88.0

|Oct avg record high F = 82.6

|Nov avg record high F = 66.9

|Dec avg record high F = 50.4

|year avg record high F = 95.0

|Jan high F = 25.3

|Feb high F = 29.9

|Mar high F = 43.1

|Apr high F = 58.2

|May high F = 69.9

|Jun high F = 79.9

|Jul high F = 81.9

|Aug high F = 79.2

|Sep high F = 73.6

|Oct high F = 60.5

|Nov high F = 43.9

|Dec high F = 29.8

|year high F = 56.3

|Jan mean F = 16.7

|Feb mean F = 21.4

|Mar mean F = 33.9

|Apr mean F = 47.1

|May mean F = 59.1

|Jun mean F = 69.5

|Jul mean F = 72.1

|Aug mean F = 69.2

|Sep mean F = 62.4

|Oct mean F = 49.5

|Nov mean F = 34.5

|Dec mean F = 21.9

|year mean F = 46.4

|Jan low F = 8.2

|Feb low F = 12.8

|Mar low F = 24.7

|Apr low F = 36.0

|May low F = 48.3

|Jun low F = 59.1

|Jul low F = 62.2

|Aug low F = 59.3

|Sep low F = 51.1

|Oct low F = 38.5

|Nov low F = 25.1

|Dec low F = 14.0

|year low F = 36.6

|Jan avg record low F = -15.5

|Feb avg record low F = -10.2

|Mar avg record low F = 1.0

|Apr avg record low F = 19.1

|May avg record low F = 32.6

|Jun avg record low F = 45.7

|Jul avg record low F = 49.9

|Aug avg record low F = 47.7

|Sep avg record low F = 33.7

|Oct avg record low F = 20.4

|Nov avg record low F = 5.7

|Dec avg record low F = -9.6

|year avg record low F = -18.7

|Jan record low F = −32

|Feb record low F = −32

|Mar record low F = −29

|Apr record low F = 3

|May record low F = 23

|Jun record low F = 34

|Jul record low F = 41

|Aug record low F = 34

|Sep record low F = 18

|Oct record low F = 9

|Nov record low F = −17

|Dec record low F = −27

|year record low F = -32

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 0.62

|Feb precipitation inch = 0.83

|Mar precipitation inch = 1.76

|Apr precipitation inch = 3.58

|May precipitation inch = 4.19

|Jun precipitation inch = 5.05

|Jul precipitation inch = 3.29

|Aug precipitation inch = 4.41

|Sep precipitation inch = 3.39

|Oct precipitation inch = 2.51

|Nov precipitation inch = 1.42

|Dec precipitation inch = 0.94

|year precipitation inch = 31.99

|Jan snow inch = 8.0

|Feb snow inch = 6.9

|Mar snow inch = 6.5

|Apr snow inch = 2.3

|May snow inch = 0.3

|Jun snow inch = 0.0

|Jul snow inch = 0.0

|Aug snow inch = 0.0

|Sep snow inch = 0.0

|Oct snow inch = 0.7

|Nov snow inch = 3.8

|Dec snow inch = 6.7

|year snow inch = 35.2

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 5.7

|Feb precipitation days = 6.4

|Mar precipitation days = 7.1

|Apr precipitation days = 9.7

|May precipitation days = 12.2

|Jun precipitation days = 10.9

|Jul precipitation days = 8.2

|Aug precipitation days = 8.1

|Sep precipitation days = 7.7

|Oct precipitation days = 8.0

|Nov precipitation days = 5.8

|Dec precipitation days = 6.0

|year precipitation days = 95.8

|unit snow days = 0.1 in

|Jan snow days = 6.1

|Feb snow days = 5.4

|Mar snow days = 3.4

|Apr snow days = 1.2

|May snow days = 0.0

|Jun snow days = 0.0

|Jul snow days = 0.0

|Aug snow days = 0.0

|Sep snow days = 0.0

|Oct snow days = 0.6

|Nov snow days = 2.6

|Dec snow days = 5.5

|year snow days = 24.8

|source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web

| url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=fsd

| title = NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| access-date = October 18, 2021}}

{{cite web

| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00137726&format=pdf

| title = Station: Sioux Rapids 4 E, IA

| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020)

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| access-date = October 18, 2021}}

}}

{{Historical populations

|title= Historical populations

|type= USA

|align= left

|1870|61

|1880|181

|1890|650

|1900|1005

|1910|868

|1920|1080

|1930|958

|1940|1056

|1950|1010

|1960|962

|1970|813

|1980|897

|1990|792

|2000|720

|2010|775

|2020|748

|source={{center|U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}}}|footnote=Source:{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|title=U.S. Census website|access-date=2020-03-29}} and [http://data.iowadatacenter.org/datatables/PlacesAll/plpopulation18502000.pdf Iowa Data Center]

}}

As of the census of 2020,{{cite web |title=2020 Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade/2020/2020-census-main.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau}} there were 748 people, 317 households, and 192 families residing in the city. The population density was 912.7 inhabitants per square mile (352.4/km²). There were 363 housing units at an average density of 442.9 per square mile (171.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.0% White, 0.7% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.0% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 5.1% from other races and 5.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino persons of any race comprised 10.8% of the population.

Of the 317 households, 30.3% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 5.7% were cohabitating couples, 26.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 24.6% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 39.4% of all households were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals, 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older.

The median age in the city was 40.7 years. 27.5% of the residents were under the age of 20; 4.5% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 25.4% were from 25 and 44; 23.1% were from 45 and 64; and 19.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 52.8% male and 47.2% female.

As of the census{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=2012-05-11}} of 2010, there were 775 people, 325 households, and 196 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|945.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 367 housing units at an average density of {{convert|447.6|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 94.3% White, 0.6% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 3.9% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.4% of the population.

There were 325 households, of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.2% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.7% were non-families. 36.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 3.02.

The median age in the city was 40.8 years. 26.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.2% were from 25 to 44; 25.2% were from 45 to 64; and 19.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.8% male and 50.2% female.

As of the census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}} of 2000, there were 720 people, 306 households, and 201 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|877.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 338 housing units at an average density of {{convert|411.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 98.75% White, 0.14% Asian, 0.28% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.39% of the population.

There were 306 households, out of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.9% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 22.5% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 23.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,250, and the median income for a family was $40,417. Males had a median income of $35,000 versus $18,929 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,759. About 5.8% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.4% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.

Sioux Rapids hosts its "Tall Corn Days" festival every year near the end of July. In the past, this has included a parade, street dance, sweet corn feed, a 5k run/walk, a kids fire fight game, a lunch at the city park, and various sports tournaments.

The town is home to several churches, including a Lutheran, Baptist, and Methodist denominations.

Sioux Rapids also has an historical museum/theater, a swimming pool, an American Legion Post, a community center, and various local businesses.

Sioux Central Community School District serves the community;"[https://www.educateiowa.gov/sites/files/ed/documents/District%20Reorganization%20History%20final.pdf REORGANIZATION & DISSOLUTION ACTIONS SINCE 1965-66]." Iowa Department of Education. Retrieved on July 20, 2018. it operates a K-12 school south of Sioux Rapids on Highway 71.

Before the consolidation{{which|date=July 2018}}, Sioux Rapids had its own school near the center of the town.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}} Sioux Rapids was a part of the Sioux Rapids Community School District until July 1, 1979, when it merged with the Rembrandt school district to form the Sioux Rapids-Rembrandt School District. That district consolidated with the Sioux Valley School District into Sioux Central on July 1, 1993.

U.S. Route 71 (concurrently with Highway 10) runs north–south through Sioux Rapids, with Spencer situated approximately 18 miles north on 71 and Storm Lake approximately 20 miles south. Sioux Rapids is also about 45 minutes south of Okoboji.

==Notable people==

• Guy Gabrielson (1891–1976) New Jersey Republican politician.{{cite web|url=http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/gabaldon-gafney.html#GABRIELSON|title= Gabrielson, Guy George|publisher= Political Graveyard|accessdate=February 10, 2011}}
• Ira Noel Gabrielson (1889–1977) American naturalist and entomologist.
• Fleta Jan Brown Spencer (1882-1938), composer and songwriter, born near Sioux Rapids.

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons}}

{{Portal|Iowa}}

• [http://www.siouxrapids.com Sioux Rapids, Iowa city website]
• [http://www.city-data.com/city/Sioux-Rapids-Iowa.html City-Data] Comprehensive Statistical Data and more about Sioux Rapids

{{Buena Vista County, Iowa}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Cities in Buena Vista County, Iowa

Category:Cities in Iowa