One hundred twenty five years ago, the town of Sac City, Iowa, was first plotted. The town plot or map in the county records was executed by W. H. Fegely on July 3,1885. The town site proprietors 125 years ago were Judge Eugene Criss, W. S. Wagoner, Henry A. Evans, and Joseph Gammon.   During the early months of 1855, Eugene Criss was in search of a water power and desired to make a new settlement in a new and untried country. He proceeded across the state to Sac County, where he erected the first log house in what is now Sac City, established himself in the hotel business, kept a stage station and general store. This log house was located at the top of the hill near the east Coon bridge.
  William Todd was the next to embark in business here, who added a general store. This was in a hewn-log house located on the southeast corner of the block facing the courthouse square on the east. Judge Criss later erected a mill which did a flourishing business for many years.
  The Criss hotel, started in 1855, of course, was the first institution of its kind in Sac City. It was a log house, 14x17, with a loft reached by means of a ladder. There was but 1 room below, and this served as a kitchen, dining room, living room and bedroom for the landlord and his wife. Two years later, the building was enlarged to 7 rooms. Other early hotels were the Hendrickson House, the Baxter House, the Shirk House, the Niewerth House, and the Beimer House.
  Among the early industries was the Sac City Creamery, built in 1879; the iron foundry conducted by Thomas Wook; the lightning rod factory of Martin & Company; the Wayt monument works, established first in Cedar Rapids in 1867 and moved to Sac City in 1889; Marion Mock's feed mill; the Allen Institute for the cure of liquor and drug diseases.
  Sac City was not incorporated until l875, and Eugene Criss was the first mayor. The first year's reports on finances showed receipts as follows: Billiards, $87.50; beer and wine, $75; bagatelle, $10; restaurants, $12; dog tax, $51; shows, $8; sidewalks, $60.75; auctioneers, $5; fines and peddlers, $2; total $311.75. Sac City was named in honor of the tribe of Sac Indians. The sac and Fox Indians were in possession of this land at the time of the Louisiana Purchase.
  The names "Sauk" and "Sac" were words indiscriminately and interchangeably. The words were derived from the Indian word "Osakwugi", meaning "people of the yellow earth." So far as we know, the name has never been changed.
   By the year 1843, approximately 25 % of the State of Iowa had been surveyed, and, when Iowa became a state in 1846, surveys were approximately 40% completed. The first surveys to begin in what is now Sac County began in 1849 when James Marsh established the Second Correction Line through this area. The exterior township boundary lines in Sac County south of the Correction Line were laid out in 1852, and those north of the Correction Line were laid out in 1855.
  Following the surveys of the township lines, the townships were then sub-divided into their 36 respective section. Following is a listing of the townships in Sac County and the year sub-divided: Sac, November 1852; Levey, June-July 1853; Wheeler, May 1853; Clinton, July 1853; Richland, June 1853; Boyer Valley, July 1853; Cook, June 1853; Coon Valley, May 1853; Cedar, May 1853; Delaware, June 1855; Douglas, May-June 1855; Eden, June 1855; Eureka, July 1855; Jackson, October 1855; Viola, June 1856; and Wall Lake, October 1855.
  The surveyors who performed the Sac County surveys received from $3.00 to $3.75 per mile for their work. This was the total compensation and had to cover all expenses, including food, shelter, horses, feed, pay to the helpers, etc. The survey crew consisted of 6 men. First the surveyor, then 2 chairmen and an axeman or mound builder made up the field party, and a cook and teamster completed the crew. All provisions had to be moved by team and wagon, and consisted of tent, camp stove, surveying equipment, bedding, clothing, food, etc. The bedding consisted of heavy woolen blankets, buffalo robes and rubber blankets. Food source was mainly salt pork, flour, navy beans, sugar, coffee, etc., and would occasionally consist of wild game trapped or shot, or a bee tree may be found containing honey.
  Indians were a definite threat to the safety of the surveyor.
  During the Sac County surveys, only 2 water impounded areas were meandered. One area, of course, was the Blackhawk Lake area (then referred to as Wall Lake) and the other was parts of Sec. 4, 5, 8 and 9 in Douglas Township. That area in Douglas Township was drained in the early 1900's and is now in agricultural crop production.
  As the town of Sac City was platted in 1855 and the area was becoming settled, it soon became apparent that new roads would be needed. Records show that petitions were being filed for new road construction as early as 1856. The first roads generally were constructed along the highlands or ridges where possible because of inadequate drainage facilities. As better construction equipment and drainage facilities became available, the roadways were constructed on the section lines and therefore many of the original section corners were destroyed or modified. Contrary to popular belief, these original section corners, as set by the Deputy Surveyors, were not stones, but simply wood posts set in built up mounds of earth, of which, where possible, were referenced by existing trees, etc. The stones which may exist at many of our section corners today were probably set by early county surveyors or engineers during surveys of roads, bridges, railroads, etc.
  Sac County was established and the boundaries received the same date, January 15,1851. It was attached to Greene County in 1855. In 1856, it was given a separate organization, and county officials were elected. The County records show that an attempt was made to have the seat of justice centrally located. A new commission, appointed by Judge C. J. McFarland of Green County, met September, 1857, and selected the site at Sac City for the county seat. The first election for county organization was held at the home of Eugene Criss, April 7,1856. First District Court was held at Sac City, June 8, 1857. First marriage was that of Elijah Wine and Miss Montgomery, December 15,1857. First Courthouse was completed August 1, 1862; second, January 1,1874. This one burned October 3, 1888.
  Sac County was 2 years without a courthouse; then a new one was completed January 1,1890. Sac City had a "library" as early as 1871, with the Sac City Library Association being organized in July, 1881. These early attempts were "Subscription Libraries" with membership of $1.00. The collections were housed in the Sac Sun Office; the office of Dr. Woodridge; and the Barkel Drug Store. With each head of business acting as librarian while the collection was in his keep. In 1884, Harper & Brothers offered "the use of a circulating collection of 200 volumes of standard works . . . . "
  In 1903, Asa Platt offered $5,000 and a lot if, the community would raise $5,000 for a "permanent library". In 1907, a meeting was held with Miss Alice Tyler, Sec. of the Iowa Library Commission, to talk on "public libraries..." A new Library Association was formed. The City Hall became the library. It was noted the librarian was paid $5 a month. In 1909, an attempt was made to secure a Carnegie Library building...January 1911 Mr. Carnegie gave $8,000 for a building providing the city would find a lot and provide support. The cornerstone was laid on July 1, 1912. The building was dedicated February 24-25, 1913. Miss Nan Deman (Klove) was the librarian and stayed until 1938. Since 1961 we have had free county service. Library service now is extended to any resident of Iowa. There are about 16,000 items in the present library collection. Average daily circulation during the last year was 120.
  Until 1888 the City Council met for most meetings at the recorder's office, with many meetings held at the Mayor or Councilmen's home or place of business.
  In 1889 meetings were moved to the town hall. On November 16, 1954, the deed was signed conveying the old town hall to B. C. Olson at which time the council moved their meetings to the Community Building. In 1967, a new Municipal Building was built on East Highway 20. It is now the present meeting place for the council. This building also houses the Municipal Gas Department and the city maintenance department.