HISTORY: 1865 Gazetteer, Cerro Gordo Co., IA
 
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April 2003

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       Please visit the Cerro Gordo County, IAGenWeb page  
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Source: Hair, James T. Iowa State Gazetteer. Chicago: Bailey & Hair, 1865. 

CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
This county is situated in the second tier from the north line of the State, and
in the fifth west from the Mississippi River.  It is twenty-four miles square, and
is bounded on the north by Worth county, on the east by Floyd, south by Franklin, 
and west by Hancock county.  The soil of the prairies in this county is extremely
fertile.  It is drained by Shell Rock and Lime Creeks on the north, by Willow
and Buffalo on the south, with other smaller streams, branches of the Cedar River.
These streams furnish an abundant water power.  They are skirted with ledges of 
lime stone, and in their vicinity excellent timber grows in sufficent quanity
for fencing and fuel purposes.
MASON CITY -- The seat of justice for Cerro Gordo county, is located in the northern
interior of the county, 110 miles west from the Mississippi River.  It is on the 
line of the McGregor Western Railway, which has a flattering prospect of soon being
completed to this point.  At present it is connected by stage line with Cedar Falls
on the DuBuque & Sioux City R. R. The village contains three church organizations, 
viz: Congregational, Methodist and United Brethren, and Lodge No. 143, A. F. & A. M.
"The Cerro Gordo Republic" newspaper is published here.  There are also four general
stores; one flour mill; one saw mill; one drug store; one hotel; one lumber yard;
one cabinet shop; one wagon shop; two blacksmith shops and a population of 300; 
township 600.
CLEAR LAKE, is situated on a beautiful lake of the same name, 10 miles west of 
Mason City.  It has two churches, Methodist and Congregational, also, Benevolence
Lodge No. 145, A. F. & A. M.  There are here two saw mills; one general store; and
one grocery.  Population about 150.  Clear Lake, as well as the streams of this 
county is supplied with a great variety of native fresh fish weighing from one to
twenty pounds each.
SHELL ROCK FALLS, is in the north-eastern part of the county, eight miles from the 
county seat.  It contains two churches, Congregational and Methodist; one general
store, and one saw mill.  Shell Rock River affords excellent water power, and there 
is an abundance of lime and sand stone in the vicinity.  Population of township 500.
OWEN'S GROVE, is a post office in Owen township, on the Cedar Falls and Clear Lake
stage route.  Population of township 200.
Genesee, Plymouth and Rock are also post offices in this county.