Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1864-12-23
Written for the Cedar Falls Gazette.
CEDAR FALLS AND ITS FUTURE.


your town, would venture to form a few con
illusions founded upon common sense and
observation Of the past history of other
places and localities, as compared with this
place. .~--..-.- -...
Your correspondent wseborn in the West
and what little he has acquired may be term
ed strictly westcrnized, and some Of my con.
illusions may be criticised by those who we're
born and educated nearer sunrise.
But without further prelinnaries, and
notwithstanding the predictions Of many
claiming to be wise men, that the days OF
prosperity Of Cedar Falls are ended, in con.
sequence Of the extension Of the Railroad
North and West, would with all modrsty
and Difference TO the opinions OF others assert
that her days OF promise are just dawning
Wher" these Railroads are extended any
considerable distance, north, west and south,
it is then that we will be brought into near
and direct proximity to the almost nexhsust,
ibla lumber regions Of Minnesota, the vast
coal beds Of Iowa river, and the iron noun
tains Of Missouri.
This lumber, coal and iron, together with
the products Of wheat, wool, &c, that can
and will be grown on our adjoining prAiries,
will bring into requsition every inch Of our
great water power. Fer the time being the
extension Of The railroads beyond this place,
will to a limited extent curtsil the retail trade
in some branches Of business The emigra-
ton that will continue to flow into our midst
and settle the virgin prairiss, will soon estab
fish counteracting tide and Of a much more
permanent character-and the business of
our town will be one of steady, healthy,
and rapid growth. ..... ..
The increase Of population within con
ycnicnt distance Of this point will soon es.
lablsh trade that will far excel the present
transient trade from more remote neighbor
hoods. There are some oil the best town
ships of land yet TO improve and settle in
the southwest part of Black Hawk, and in
the north east part Of Grundy county, all Of
which are within the distance Of from three
to fifteen miles Of Cedar Falls, which place
will be the nearest point for mills, market,
manufacturing and general trade: This ter
riiory yet almost entirely untouched by the
plowshsrc, and Of the most excellent prairie
soil. is sufficient to sustain a population Of
10000 inhabitants. The country for ten
miles north and east OF here is capable OF
supporting another q, 600 inhabitants
If our country is prospercd any of cur cili
zens who are permitted to live ten years will
see full three four,hs Of the population above
stated within The limits above specified
With population Of 10000 to develop the
resources Of so coed sol, and town pos.
sossing SO many important facilities in its
midst, what is there to hinder Cedar Falls
from becom ng hourishing manufacturing
town Of ten or fifteen thousand inhabitants
before 1876 ? As remarked above I draw
my conclusions from observation Of actual
demonstration in other localities.
The writer settled in Northern Illinois
fifteen years ago, when there were but forty
miles Ct railroad in that State Such towns
as Dixon, Rockford, Beloit and Janesyile.
on Roc; river, had each but population of
from one to two thousand inhabitants. Now
the population of each Of those places is from
six to ten thousand, and these towns are all
located within a few miles of each other,
and have no better soil and facilities. than
has the Cedar Valley, This place and coun-
try now has the advance Of fifteen years on
agricultural and manufacturing machinery,
which is vastly in our favor, for more rapid
progress. Cedar Falls need not be alarmed
at croakers. If her business ,ren and lead
ing citizens look well to their interest and
the public good, by encouraging all honora
bic and lawful enterprises, as we'll as educa-
ton and moral training, the next generation
may ''rise up and call them blessed"
If this is not considered cumbersome to
your columns, and bore to your readers,
you may again hear from your correspond
ent on subjects Of like import.
CEDAR FAILS, December 22d, 1861. - 49,