alt=Main Street, Missouri Valley, Iowa, 1905|thumb|Main Street, 1905
Missouri Valley is a city in Harrison County, Iowa, United States. The population was 2,678 at the time of the 2020 census.
History
Originally, Missouri Valley was known as St. John's (Findley or Old St. Johns), and established in 1856. This settlement was founded at the intersection of the Chicago & Northwestern, Sioux City & Pacific, and the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley lines. Following the collapse of wildcat banks in 1858 and the near completion of the railroad, the town was moved 2 miles from its original location and renamed "New St. Johns". The town was formally renamed a second time soon after, this time being named after the valley of the Missouri River.
Missouri Valley was formally laid out in 1867 when the Chicago and North Western Railway was extended to that point. Missouri Valley was a true railroad town in the late 1800s. The Sioux City and Pacific's headquarters was there and with it came the associated repair and machine shops, blacksmith, round house, etc. By 1896 population was approaching 4,000 and 25 passenger trains were coming in and out of Missouri Valley each day on 3 different lines. In 1900 the city adopted a resolution that the railroads were its chief industry and main sustenance.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land. Missouri Valley is located within Iowa's Loess Hills.