Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1892-03-24
BEAUTIFUL IOWA PARK
BOUND TO BECOME THE COUNTY
SEAT OF WICHITA COUNTY.
Wonderful Growth of the City-Near the
Center of the County it Has Rich
Lands All Round Tits Business.
correspondence Of the eazette.


Iowa PARK, TEX, March 21.-Slightly over
three years ago, one house was to be found
on the site where is now the beautiful city
of Iowa Park, with its twelve hundred of
active, progressive souls. Situated as the
city is, within one half mile of the geo
graphical center of Wichita county and
surrounded by a country unsurpassed for
beauty and fertility, it is no wonder that
Iowa Park has grown and Is growing at
rapid rate AL of the coun try formiles
around is high, rolling prairie of the rich
est soil and of such q nature as to be easily
and proftably worked as an agricultural
section. As a result of the untiring efforts
put forth by the founders of the city, the
country has been peopled by a thrifty farm
ing population. From vast cattle range
of three years ago now is found for miles
around a succession of farms worked by
men who know how to make farming pay.
At the present, hundreds of homes are
found in every direction and the crops that
surround them are far advanced and show
marks of special attention from those
working them. The increase of new farms
opened in 1892 is % per cent in excess of
1881 and new settlers are locating every
day. The soil is equally adapted for the
raising of wheat, oats, corn, cotton and
fruits, but small grains are the leading
crops. Lands around Iowa Park have been
held at low price as compared with other
farming sections of the state and this fact
alone has greatly aided in settling up the
country.
1t is safe to say that no town in the Pan
handle is growing more rapidly to-day than
Iowa Park Many buildings of brick and
wood are now under course of construction,
while many more are contemplated and will
be built this year, one of which will be
large hotel of the most modern design and
equipment. The city now has thirty mer-
ri
banks, two lumber yards, three wagon
yards, two live newspapers three livery
stables, large grain elevator, a Touring
MILL six church organizations, with three
houses of worship and fourth one under
construction. The city has also tin Shops
laundries, shoe shops, and similar lines
that 90 to make up city. Since the 1st
day of last August 1863 carloads of wheat
alone have been shipped from Iowa Park,
and, with the bright prospects now existing
for crop N 1892, it is safe to say that $50
cars will be shipped thisye
A second elevator to handle the grain
and two new mills to grind the wheat into
-four, are among the new improvements for
the year. A large UNCONVENTIONAL college
will probably be erected on beautiful
campus donated by the city. For the con-
struction of this building there are now on
the grounds 10000 brick and all the stone
necessary, The city has frst-class public
schools, that are Kept open ten months IN
the year. Pure water is obtained at
depths ranging from sixteen to forty feet.
Iowa Park has represented in its midst the
various secret societies, all in lourishing
condition. The town boasts of q fine brass
band, literary societies, business college,
fire department, etc. At present al least
two-thirds of the new farms being opened
in Wichita county are so located that Iowa
Park is the market town for their owners.
This fact, coupled with the one that Iowa
Park is nearer the geographical center of
the county than any other city, leads all to
believe that this progressive city will be-
fore long be made the county seat of the
county.
The location is much more central, much
nearer and more convenient to four-fifths of
the rural population, and there is no laud-
able excuse in it not being the seat of
Justice for the county. AS time goes by
Iowa Park is making rapid Announcements
in spite of the "hard times,'' and it is safe
to say that the one building of three years
ago will. within the next three years, be
surrounded by buildings containing 5000
population. c. w. WILSON.