Queen City was laid out in May, 1867 by Doctor George W. Wilson and consisted of a town square surrounded by fifteen other blocks.

Being located along the railroad, it provided a fine shipping point for large numbers of railroad ties and other lumber products harvested from heavily wooded areas along the Chariton River several miles to the west.

Grain, livestock and some quantities of wool were also shipped by rail from the town.

[6] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.03 square miles (2.67 km2), all land.

The racial makeup of the city was 99.0% White, 0.5% Native American, and 0.5% from two or more races.

37.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

The racial makeup of the city was 98.12% White, 0.78% Native American, and 1.10% from two or more races.