Early History of Smithland

Early History of Smithland, Iowa

Genealogy for Woodbury County, Iowa, USA. Click here for the HOME page.

Town Information:
Located in Little Sioux Township, which was created in 1855. The first post office was opened 29 May 1856. The town was settled in the fall of 1851 by W. M. White, J. Summer, and Curtis Lamb.

Cemetery:
Little Sioux Cemetery - Records on file at the Sioux City Main Public Library, Sioux City, IA.

Churches:
United Methodist Church - organized 1871, first building owned in 1879. First minister was William Black 1855-1856.
The Adventist Church - ended in the 1920's or 1930's. These two churches used the same building in 1871.

Newspapers:
Little Sioux Valley Report - 1871-72. R. W. Rice, editor.
Smithland Advertiser - Spring 1887, only for one year.
Smithland Exponent - 24 November 1887. A.K.A. Farmers Exponent - Spring of 1890.

Other:
Log cabin museum built in 1940, A.K.A. Log Cabin Historical Society
Oldest town in Woodbury County.
Source: Resource Guide for West Central Iowa

Woodbury County Coordinator