Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-03-28
OUR COUNTY AND OUR TOWN.

=
likely posses more artificial advantages
than Buchanan. The county covers an
area of twentyfour square miles, con-
tains three hundred and sixty eight thou
sand, six hundred and forty acres, of
which there are fifty-one thousand two
hundred acres of timber, making about
six acres of prairie to one acre of timber.
At the last census, there but 2l222 acres
OF improved land. There are no swamps
or marshes in the county, and all the land
is capable of the highest cultivation. The
soil is generally a rich black loan, inn
menscly productive, well adapted to graz
ing, sheep raising, and for the growth of
cereals of all kinds. The timber is most
ly large and fit fos building purposes
1t grows rapidly, and we are assured by
a gentleman upon whose Judgment se
can rely, and who has had ample means
for observation, having been one of the
earliest settlers of the county, that there
is more timber in the county to-day than
there was ten, or even five years ago.
The county is as well watered as any in
the State-the Wapsipinicon river flow
ing through it from northwest TO south
east. Ii has also within its limits Butfa-
10, Pine, Otter, Spring, Birch, Lime, and
Bear creeks. Springs are abundant, and
most excellent water can be obtained III
almost every situation, at a depth of from
ten to twenty-five feet Stone for build
ing purposes is plenty, ola good quality,
and of ready access. Excellent clay for
the manufacture of brick is found in pro-
fusion, and there are many manufactures
of the kind already in successful opera
ton in all parts of the county. The pop
ulation is generally of the better class,
and liberal educational provisions have
been made throughout most of the coun
ty. In 1859, the population was only
about 500. Now it is fully 1000. The
county is entirely out of debt, and has a
considerable surplus in the treasury
Roads are opened through it in every di-
rection, and fully a dozen posi- offices
in all sections of the county, attest our
postal facilities. The value Of Real and
Personal Property is but little, if any,
short of $4,000, 900. n
The Dubuque and Pacific Railroad
runs nearly through the centre of the
county, east and west, and the Wapsipin-
icon and st. Peters Valley Railroad will
run through it diagonaly-entering at
the southeast. aad leaving ut the north
west corner. These roads give us cheap,
direct, and ready accsss TO the best mar
kets, and nsures ready sale for our sur
plus productions, besides cheapeiling i'm
measurably those articles of consumption
which we are compelled to purchase
Fairbanks, in the northwesterneAtrem
ity of the county, We understand, (for
We have never had the pleasure of visit
ing it is quite a handsome and growing
town. 1t is situated on the east branch
of the Wapsipinicon river, is possessed of
excellent water power, and the country in
its Immediate vicinity is heavily timber
ed. The first division of the Wapsipini-
con and St. Peters Valley Railroad will
end at this place, and will doubt, with
its present advantages, give itan immense
impetus forward on the road to prosperity.
independence, our county town, Is un-
doubleday destined to bea large and aour-
ishing city. 1t issituated a little west of
the centre of the county, upon the Wap-
sipinicon river, and viii be. at the point
Of crossing of the two railroads. Ii now
contains over n thousand inhabitants, and
is constantly and rapidly increasing'riIts
railroad communications, its situation,
its artificial advantages, and the enter
prise of its citizens, all guarantee to it a
progressive and prosperous future.
Quasqueton is situated upon both sides
of the Wapsipinicon River, liule south
of the centre of the county, and has as
many natural advantageous any town in
this region of country. Its situation is
universally conceded to be one of hand
soonest IN this section Of the Site Onl
the East side the ground rises gradually
and almost imperceptibly from the river,
extending back toa beautiful highrolling
prairie On the West, the grcdnd rises
more abruptly from the river, but only
enough SO to enhance its beauty and
healthfulness. Itswater privilege is one
of the best in the State. and though con-
siderably improved, is capable of being
much more So. On the north of the town,
and stretching away for miles, Is fine