What did the citizens of Sioux City do for entertainment in the late 1890s through the 1920s? The answer is Riverside Park. This part of the city was a major attraction for the region. From the first amusement park (complete with a roller coaster), to country clubs, picnic grounds, baseball fields, racing tracks, and fairgrounds, Riverside had it all.

The main attraction to the area was the Sioux River. Unlike the channelized river of today, the old Sioux was a slow moving, picturesque river up to two hundred yards in width. Because people had no air conditioning, being around water was a definite summer attraction.

You could swim, canoe, row, or travel by steamboat up and down the quiet, tree-lined river. People would ride the street car to the area to picnic or camp. Another possibility for recreation was to join one of the five boat and country clubs which lined the river's shore. These clubs provided more than just water sports. There were rooms for playing cards, shooting pool, reading, and dances.

More than 20,000 people came to watch the Ringling Brothers Circus bath their elephants in the Sioux River.

The Interstate Fair, which began in 1903 and continued until 1926 was another major attraction. Under the leadership of F. L. Eaton the fair became the largest private fair in the nation. Farmers and ranchers from the tri-state area brought their livestock and crops to compete in contests. 4-H competition among the children was keen.

The fair included the usual exhibits and midway. But they also had a two-mile track where all kinds of races were held. Early automobile races, horse races, bicycle races, and even fire truck races drew large crowds to the track.