Parlor City (Cedar Rapids, Iowa nickname)

Binghamton, New York, has been called the “Parlor City (of the Southern Tier)” since 1873. “Parlor City” means a city that is refined, with beautiful homes, gardens and cultural amenities.
 
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, began to be called the “Parlor City (of Iowa)” in the 1890s. “Parlor City” appeared in a letter to the Cedar Rapids (IA) Evening Gazette on November 12, 1890. The nickname was popularized by the Chicago (IL) Herald, in the article “In Iowa’s Parlor City” on June 20, 1891, which began:
 
“CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, June 19.—Nearly every city in the country is known by an alias, always more or less appropriate, that reflects to a great extent some chief industry, marked peculiarity or striking characteristic of the community. Cedar Rapids is no exception to this happy custom. Some genius in a moment of inspiration gave to this charming spot the appellation of ‘Parlor City of Iowa,’ a title that strikes the observant visitor as being peculiarly appropriate to this city of beautiful homes.”
 
Although the “Parlor City” name is old fashioned, it is still used in the names of Cedar Rapids businesses.
 
Monroe, Louisiana, was called the “Parlor City (of Louisiana)” in 1890. Bluffton, Indiana, has been called the “Parlor City” since at least 1900.
   
 
Wikipedia: Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids /ˈsiːdər ˈræpɪdz/ is the second-largest city in Iowa and is the county seat of Linn County. The city lies on both banks of the Cedar River, 20 miles (32 km) north of Iowa City and 100 miles (160 km) northeast of Des Moines, the state’s capital and largest city. It is a part of the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Corridor of Linn, Benton, Cedar, Jones, Johnson, and Washington counties.
         
Cedar Rapids (IA) Public Library
Business Directory
Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids, IA: Allied Printing
(“1885-1900?” is handwritten on the title page. Based on the fact that some telephone numbers are listed, and the existence of the following businesses, it appears that this Business Directory is from about 1901.—ed.)
Pg. 18:
PARLOR CITY FUEL CO.,
Coal and Wood, Wholesale and Retail. D. T. Rich, Manager.
Pg. 19:
PARLOR CITY MERCANTILE CO.,
Dealers in General Merchandise. M. Bugenstein, Mgr. C. S. P. S. Building, Cor. 3rd St. and 11th Ave.
Pg. 27:
FOX’S PARLOR CITY LAUNDRY,
That’s all.
Tel. 189. 220 3rd Ave.
Pg. 33:
PARLOR CITY PANITORIUM CLUB,
Membership $1.00 per Month. Clothes Cleaned and Pressed. G. P. Heinz, Propr. Tel. old 180. 109 N. 3rd St.
Pg. 36:
PARLOR CITY RABBITRY,
Horak Bros. Proprs. Breeders of fancy Belgium Hares and Flemish Giants. hatches at 220 N. 1st St. and 608 2nd St. West.
Pg. 39:
PARLOR CITY RESTAURANT (The),
L. J. Wolfe, Propr.  Meals at all Hours, First Class Meals 25c, $3.50 per Week. 321 1st Ave. Tel. 2 on 140. 616 2nd St. East.
 
Newspapers.com
18 May 1888, Sioux City (IA) Journal,  “Rock Rapids,” pg. 3, col. 3:
All of this is as it should be, and serves to make all the more appropriate and permanent our (Rock Rapids, not Cedar Rapids—ed.) soubriquet of “Parlor City.”
   
Newspapers.com
Cedar Rapids (IA) Public Library
12 November 1890, Cedar Rapids (IA) Evening Gazette, “Lakes and Marble Halls,” pg. 4, col. 3:
Such a lake if secured in connection with the timber lands adjoining would give Cedar Rapids the most beautiful park west of Chicago.
 
For an exposition building what would better correspond with the true dignity of the Parlor City than the erection of a marble castle?
(...)
Respectfully,
J. M. INGOLD.
 
20 June 1891, Chicago (IL) Herald, pg. 9, col. 1:
IN IOWA’S PARLOR CITY
SOME GLIMPSES OF CEDAR RAPIDS.
A Paradise of Clubs, Churches and Muscular Christianity—Famous for Its Hospitality, Its Public Schools, Its Society and for Its Charity.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, June 19.—Nearly every city in the country is known by an alias, always more or less appropriate, that reflects to a great extent some chief industry, marked peculiarity or striking characteristic of the community. Cedar Rapids is no exception to this happy custom. Some genius in a moment of inspiration gave to this charming spot the appellation of “Parlor City of Iowa,” a title that strikes the observant visitor as being peculiarly appropriate to this city of beautiful homes.
 
Newspapers.com
22 June 1891, Cedar Rapids (IA) Evening Gazette, “Our Bohemian Guests,” pg. 4, col. 4:
Cedar Rapids was selected as the place of the meeting and Cedar Rapids will nwo do herself proud in the entertainment of her visitors. The “Parlor City of Iowa” may not be quite so large as the metropolis where the last meeting was held, but we can assure our Bohemian friends as hearty a reception as they met with there and a much more enjoyable time.