Fort Dodge, Iowa

Fort Dodge is a city and county seat of Webster County, Iowa, situated on the Des Moines River. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 25,136.

Major industries

The major industries of Fort Dodge are: gypsum and limestone mining, drywall manufacturing, trucking, veterinary pharmaceuticals, and retail.

Related Topics:
Gypsum - Limestone - Mining - Drywall - Truck - Veterinary - Pharmaceutical - Retail

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Gypsum rock is processed into drywall and plaster products at several Fort Dodge manufacturing facilities. Drywall was patented by a Fort Dodge resident, and the gypsum used to create the Cardiff Giant hoax of the late 19th century was mined at Fort Dodge.

Related Topics:
Cardiff Giant - Hoax - 19th century

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Fort Dodge is the home of Fort Dodge Animal Health, a major producer of pharmaceuticals for veterinarians.

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At least three major national trucking companies (primarily flatbed carriers serving the drywall industry) are based out of Fort Dodge.

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Fort Dodge serves as a retail center for North-Central Iowa.

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The Fort Dodge Correctional Facility, 1,250-bed medium security state prison, opened in 1998.

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For most of the 20th century, meatpacking was a major industry in Fort Dodge. The last two large meatpacking plants (owned by IBP and Hormel) closed during the 1980s.

Related Topics:
20th century - Meatpacking - 1980s

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