KEEPING LOCAL HISTORY ALIVE
Rock Rapids Main Street. Photo courtesy Grinnell College Libraries Collection.
THE EARLY DAYS OF ROCK RAPIDS:
DROUGHT, GRASSHOPPERS, SCHOOLS, RACE HORSES AND CHURCHES The following text is excerpted from the book “History Reminiscence and Biography of Lyon County, Iowa.” Published under the auspices of the Pioneer Association of Lyon County by Geo. A. Ogle & Co. in 1905 In the month of June, 1869, D.C. Whitehead, of Webster County, an enterprising man, who became foremost in all that looked toward the future development of the county, proceeded to make explorations. On his route he was joined by Matthias Sweesy and Delos Towsley. On the 22d of June this party reached the rapids at the junction of the Rock and Kanaranzi rivers, and here stood enchanted by the sound of the waterfall, which for long ages had wasted its power and
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lavished its beauty upon the wilderness. At once filled with enthusiasm and high hopes of the future of the place, Mr. Whitehead here gave it the name of “Rock Rapids.” The party soon selected homesteads, Mr. Whitehead nearly adjoining the present town plat, and Messrs. Sweesy and Towsley a short distance above, and then left to secure their families. Thus was commenced the thriving city of Rock Rapids
The Farming Families Magazine | www.agemedia.pub | February 2020
and the settlement of Rock township. In July, S. G. Martin and Justice Martin and family, settled a short distance above Rock Rapids, Mrs. Justice Martin being the first white woman to settle in Rock township and they were the only family residing in the township during the winter of 1869-70. During 1870, many came to Lyon County, including H.T. Helgerson, in February, who
