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Toward the end of the 19th century, railroads transformed Sioux City from a western outpost to one of the fastest-growing municipalities in the world. Prior to the arrival of the railroads, Sioux City depended on the Missouri River for transportation. The Missouri, however, was not dependable because of flooding and droughts. As an all-season mode of transportation, the railroads permitted the flourishing of the meatpacking industry in Sioux City. In fact, it was the large number of different railroad companies that made Sioux City a major agricultural center rather than just another county seat or market town. Trains carried cattle and hogs to the plants and then carted away the Sioux Cityaprocessed products to the nation and to the world.
About the author
Rudolph Daniels has lived in Sioux City since 1975. He received his doctorate in history from the Pennsylvania State University, and he has taught at several Sioux City colleges over the years. From 1996 through 2002, Daniels was department chair of railroad operations technology at Western Iowa Tech Community College. At that time, the major railroad companies of the United States and Canada asked him to write the comprehensive history of the North American railroads, Trains across the Continent. Shortly thereafter, the United States government asked him to write the educational section of the Federal Railroad Administration Web site. Daniels also gives presentations on railroads to civic groups.
