John MacVicar (July 4, 1859 – November 15, 1928) was an American politician who served as mayor of Des Moines, Iowa from 1896 to 1900 and from 1916 to 1918 and again in 1928 until his death.

After his mother's death he went to work selling newspapers and attended night school.

in 1882 MacVicar moved to Des Moines, Iowa and in 1884 he was married to Nettie Nash.

In 1892 he participated in a campaign against the high rates charged by the Des Moines Water Works Company.

[3] In 1908 MacVicar was elected to the Des Moines City Commission and served from 1908 to 1912.