"Booming Sioux"

In the spring of 1883, the Sioux County Herald ran a series of articles entitled "Booming Sioux".  It gave the history of Sioux County, Iowa from 1856 to 1883 including a brief story about most towns in the county.  It was later published in pamphlet form so that local residents could send it to others -- a "recruiting tool" for new residents.

Thanks to the Sioux County Digital Archives, we are able to piece together this series.  The links below will lead you to the appropriate page for each part.  Town names are the same as today except for "Pattersonville".  That is now Hull.  Calliope is now a part of the town of Hawarden. 

Please be patient.  The newspaper pdfs may take a few minutes to load. You will need the Adobe Reader to view.

Part 1:  Brief Description of the County; Dutch migration

Part 2:  Streams, Soil, Drainage, Herd Law, Climate & Health, Fuel, Timber, Price of Land, Stock Raising, Mails

Part 3:  Population, Schools, Immigration, Dairying

Part 4:  Towns & Business:  Calliope, Hawarden, Rock Valley

Part 5:  Towns & Business:  Pattersonville (Hull), Boyden, Hospers

Part 6:  Towns & Business:  Maurice, Ireton, Orange City

Part 7:  Towns & Business:  Alton; Does Farming Here Pay?  Why pay cash rent elsewhere when you could buy here?