GUTHRIE CENTER.
As its name would indicate this town is situated in the geographical center of Guthrie County, of which it is the present seat of justice. It is handsomely located on a high rolling prairie, rising gently from the banks of the South Raccoon River, which flows past it on the west. It is surrounded by high ridges from half to one mile distant, presenting a beautiful panorama of gently rounded hills, finely cultivated farms and fruitful fields and orchards. It was laid out in 1855 by B. Newton, Thomas Suley and William Tracy on lands originally entered by Messrs. Tracy & Newton. The first dwelling was a log cabin, erected by Charles Huxley in March, 1856. There is an excellent water power on the Raccoon adjoining the town plat, sufficient, if well improved, to drive four run of burs. Good building stone are obtained within a mile and a half of town, while coal and timber are abundant and easily and conveniently secured. A spring of pure cold water, sufficient to supply the town, gushes out on the highest ground on the plat, which could be improved at a small expense. Altogether it is a good business point and a pleasant place to live.
STUART.
Although comparatively a new town, Stuart is probably the most important place in the county. It is situated on the line of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, near the southeast corner of the county, a portion of it extending over the line into Adair. Much importance has been added to the town by the railroad company establishing a division station here, and erecting extensive machine, locomotive and repair shops. It is the most considerable shipping point in the county, being surrounded by a rich, well improved farming country. It is settled by a wide awake, enterprising class of inhabitants, whose energies are fast making Stuart one of the most important places on the line of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad west of Des Moines.
PANORA.--This is the oldest town in the county, being laid out soon after its organization. It is on the Middle Raccoon River, in the eastern part of the county. There is plenty of timber and coal convenient, and the river here furnishes fine water power, which, with other advantages, will continue to make it a place of business and importance.
GUTHRIE.--This is the next station west of Stuart on the railroad, and was laid out in the Winter of 1868-'69. It is surrounded by a good agricultural region, with timber, coal and stone convenient. The town plat is on both sides of the railroad, on prairie land sufficiently rolling for drainage.
CASEY.--This is a shipping point on the railroad at the south line of the county, a portion of the town being in Adair County. It was laid out in October, 1868. Indian Branch, a tributary of the Middle Raccoon River, flows at the south border of the town, and is skirted by groves of timber. This is a point of considerable business, especially in the shipment of grain.
Among other villages in the county are MORRISBURG, near South Coon River, laid out in 1855 by J. J. Morris; DALE CITY, on South Coon River, eight miles southeast of Panora,; and DALMANUTHA, laid out in 1855.
Transcribed by Cheryl Siebrass, February, 2024 from
"A. T. Andreas Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa" Chicago: Andreas Atlas Co., 1875, pg. 469.
