<P> Cedar Rapids is nicknamed the "City of Five Seasons", for the "fifth season", which is time to enjoy the other four . The symbol of the five seasons is the Tree of Five Seasons sculpture in downtown along the north river bank . The name "Five Seasons" and representations of the sculpture appear throughout the city in many forms . </P> <P> The location of present - day Cedar Rapids was in the territory of the Fox and Sac tribes . </P> <P> The first permanent settler, Osgood Shepherd, arrived in 1838 . When Cedar Rapids was first established in 1838, William Stone named the town Columbus . In 1841 it was resurveyed and renamed by N.B. Brown and his associates . They named the town Cedar Rapids for the rapids in the Cedar River at the site, and the river itself was named for the large number of red cedar trees that grew along its banks . Cedar Rapids was incorporated on January 15, 1849 . Cedar Rapids annexed the community of Kingston in 1870 . </P> <P> The economic growth of Cedar Rapids increased in 1871 upon the founding of the Sinclair meatpacking company . </P>

Where did the name cedar rapids come from