Kathy Holstein

Where Your Dreams Come Home

Sac City, Iowa Area Guide

Located among the rolling hills of northwestern Iowa, Sac City is home to a variety of Victorian buildings, antique shops, and manufacturing businesses that make the town a beautiful and productive place to live. With plenty of sports, events, and recreational activities to enjoy you’ll never run out of things to do here!

History

Sac City was first added to the plat map by John F. Duncombe in 1855. The town was given the name Sac City because the Sauk and Fox Indians resided on the land during the Louisiana Purchase. Nineteen years later the city was incorporated and later a railroad was built through the town. The contract with the rail companies were difficult to obtain because the railroad companies refused to lay tracks through undeveloped parts of town; they demanded that communities be developed enough to provide capital for the companies before tracks were laid. Eventually a railroad company did agree to construct a railroad, and it was an enormous benefit to the town. The first school was built here in 1856 and consisted of one small log cabin. By 1892 several schools had opened, and the Oak Park Normal College was established to bring higher education opportunities to Sac City. In 1894 the school’s board reorganized and the college was renamed The Sac City Institute. The school was a success until students developed a tendency to study abroad in schools that offered more modern facilities, and Sac City Institute closed in 1912. After the Institute closed, the building was re-purposed as a high school.

Today Sac City is bustling with activity, and manages to maintain its old world charm through its specialty stores, traditional architecture, and successful manufacturing industry.

Sac City Parks and Recreation

The Sac City Recreation Council provides a variety of fitness and wellness activities for residents such as golf, tennis, archery, arts and crafts, swimming, and many others. The Council’s swim team is competitive and has won several Conference titles; the baseball program begins with T-ball and continues through Little League (the city has been referred to as the Little League Capital of the World). Canoeing is available on the Raccoon River, and in the winter months snowmobiling is available on a series of snowmobile trails.

Sac City Events and Attractions

Sac County Moonlight Bike Ride - July
Enjoy this 1-day biking adventure! This annual ride begins in Lake View and highlights the Sauk Rail Trail.

Chautauqua Days - July
Performances are featured in the historical Chautauqua Building in addition to outdoor festivities such as athletic events, a parade, fireworks, and a car show. The event takes place each year on 4th of July weekend.

Sac County Fair – July-August
This traditional county fair is held at the end of summer and features carnival rides, grandstand entertainment, and specialty events like livestock competitions.

Christmas Parade – December
This parade takes place every year right before Christmas to celebrate the holiday season. The parade features a whole host of festive decorations and ends with a fireworks display.