History
On April 19, 1884, with a population of 200, Cedar Rapids became an official village. Cedar Rapids was named for the abundance of cedar trees growing along the banks of the fast running river which ran adjacent to the village. A branch line of Union Pacific began operations through Cedar Rapids on November 28, 1884. Cedar Rapids is home to a Lutheran, a United Methodist, and a Catholic Church. The Riverside 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.
Accomplishments
Our community improvements and economic development attracted attention from coast to coast. Cedar Rapids was featured in a video “Two Towns Too Tough To Die,” on how small towns revitalize themselves.
Iowa Public Television produced a tape of the Cedar Area Small Business Development Association (CASBDA) a first ever revolving loan organization. This tape was broadcast by Nebraska Public Television.
Cedar Rapids has taken part in the Nebraska Community Improvement Program (NCIP) since 1990 and received awards in various categories as well as overall. Fifty newspapers printed news releases of Cedar Rapids as a “can do” community selected by the Department of Economic Development. Paul Harvey picked up on our unique “Cow Patty Golf Course.” Nebraska television stations aired footage on us for their “Town for a Day” series.
Other publications our community has been featured in include:
- National School Association Magazine
- Lincoln Journal
- Columbus Telegram
- Rural Electric Nebraskan
- Municipal Clerks Newsletter
- Northeast Nebraska Travel Guide
- Department of Economic Development Newsletter
- Midwest Living Magazine
City Hall
The Village Clerk is available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings from 8 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Cedar Rapids is governed by a five member board of trustees. The Village of Cedar Rapids provides sewer, street repair, water and solid waste disposal. Cedar Rapids also maintains a swimming pool and three city parks. For more information, call 308-358-0240 or e-mail us at cityhall@cedarrapidsne.com.
Utilities
Sewage
The municipal sewer system is an activated sludge treatment plant. The daily capacity of the plant is 70,000 gallons.
Solid Waste Disposal
Privately owned trash service is available. This includes residential and commercial weekly curb-side pickup. There is also a tree dump site and compost site east of town that is available to residents. Construction debris needs to be hauled to the landfill at Newman Grove or contracted privately for a roll-off dumpster.
Water Disposal
The municipal water system is supplied by two wells which have an average depth of 193 feet and a 120,000 gallon reservoir.
Electricity
Loup Power District, a wholesale power customer of Nebraska Public Power District, provides retail electric service to Cedar Rapids. The power source for Cedar Rapids is a 34,500 volt transmission line.
Natural Gas
Supplied by Source Gas through a two-inch transmission pipeline with an operating pressure of approximately 700-800 psi.
Other Fuels
LP Gas and Oil are available from Country Parnters Cooperative and Fueltec.
Telecommunications
Great Plains Communications supplies the telecommunications system. A digital central office is located in Cedar Rapids. Fiber optics now link Cedar Rapids, and DSL services are available.
Post Office
The post office has mail receipt and dispatch daily.
Package Delivery Service
Services available include the United Parcel Service, Federal Express, and the United States Postal Service.
Newspaper
Cedar Rapids Press, the local weekly paper, has 280 subscribers.
Radio
Radio stations carrying local news: KZ-100, KKOT, KRGI, KLIR, KTTT and US92.
Television
Television stations carrying local news: KOLN/KGIN-TV, KHAS-TV, KCAU-TV.
Cable Television
Cable television is provided by Vyve Broadband. They also supply Internet services to the area.
Streets
Cedar Rapids has eighteen miles of streets; 99 percent are hard surfaced. Maintenance equipment includes a street sweeper, tractor loader, maintainer, rotary mower, and dump truck.
Healthcare & Emergency Services
Healthcare
The Cedar Rapids Medical Clinic, 308-358-0615, located at 106 South 3rd St., is staffed by Dr. Terry Troyer, M.D., and a physician’s assistant. The clinic is open three half-days per week. The Boone County Health Center is located eighteen miles north of Cedar Rapids, in Albion. Phone: 402-395-2191.
Rescue Squad
Nine volunteer certified EMTs and one First Responder respond to rescue calls within the community, Rural Fire District, and part of the Primrose Fire District. They use a licensed, fully-equipped ambulance. In 1992, the squad received the “Rescue Squad of the Year” award. Training of squad members continues to be kept current. A new ambulance was obtained in 2015. Cedar Rapids is also covered by 911. View Notice of Privacy Practices.
Fire Department
Fire protection is provided to the community by a 25-member volunteer fire department. Thirty-four fire hydrants are located throughout the town. Fire protection is also provided in the Cedar Rapids Rural Fire District. The department provides mutual aid with other surrounding towns and is aided by 911 service. The fire insurance classification inside corporate limits is 5 and outside is 5X.
Police Department
Cedar Rapids contracts with the Boone County Sheriff’s Department, 308-395-2144, for Law Enforcement.
Education
Pre-K through Grade 12
Riverside Public Schools was formed when Cedar Rapids Public School and Spalding Public School merged in 2014. Pre-K through Grade 5, and Grades 9-12 attend the Cedar Rapids site, and Pre-K through Grade 8 attend the Spalding site. Riverside Public Schools has 242 students in Pre-K through 12th grade, and 60 teachers. This is for both the Cedar Rapids and Spalding sites. Extracurricular activities offered include many different sports, cheerleading, dance team, music and drama programs, and clubs such as FCA, FFA, FBLA. For more information contact the school office at 308-358-0640 or visit the Riverside Public Schools website.
Library
The Cedar Rapids Public Library is a member of the Northeast Library System which provides inter-library loan service and periodical access from Wayne State College. Activities include a summer reading program and story hour. They provide monthly themes and Internet access to library users. The building is handicapped accessible. Phone 308-358-0603 or visit the Cedar Rapids Public Library’s website.
Churches
St. John’s Lutheran Church
Rev. Brian Ketelsen
Phone: 308-358-0370
• Lutheran Youth Fellowship
• Lutheran Women’s Missionary League
• Sunday School
• Vacation Bible School
• Thrivent
St. Anthony’s Catholic Church
Fr. Mark Tomasiewicz
Phone: 308-358-0645
Email: Stantct@gpcom.net
• St. Anthony’s Altar Society
• Knights of Columbus
• Youth Religion Classes
Cedar Rapids United Methodist Church
Pastor Mick Goc
Phone: 402-366-6781
Email: cedarval@gbgmchurches.gbgm-umc.org
• United Methodist Men/United Methodist Women
• “Friends of Jesus” After School Program for 1st – 6th Grades
• Cedar Valley Parish Youth Group
• Acts29 Prayer Group – Tuesday Nights
Organizations
• American Legion Auxiliary
• Cedar Valley Art Guild
• Cedar Rapids Alumni Association
• Cedar Valley Foundation
• Cedar Rapids Community Club
• Cedar Valley Garden Club
• Historical Society
• American Legion Dan Cox Post 44
• Cedar Rapids Senior Citizens (meals provided)
• Veteran of Foreign Wars
• Piecing Pals Quilters
Youth Groups
• 4-H
• FFA
• FBLA