TAMA, a new county in the E. central part of Iowa, has an area of 720 square miles. The S. part is intersected by the Iowa river, and the N. part by Wolf creek, it is also drained by Salt and Deep creeks. The surface is undulating or nearly level; the soil is mostly fertile. The name is derived from an Indian chief. (Baldwin's New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States..., 1854)
TAMA COUNTY. The county-seat of Tama was but one year old last November. In February, 1855, it contained 150 — the county upwards of 300. In 1850, the county contained but 8 inhabitants — 5 males and 3 females — something of an in- crease!
Two churches — a Methodist and a Baptist — are in contemplation, and will probably be built this season.
No newspaper — good opening for one — we read.
Public Schools in most flourishing condition.
Hydraulic privileges excellent in the county, on the Iowa River — also, an abundance of water-power on Deer, Wolfe, Honey and Otter Creeks. We have 4 saw-mills — 2 water, 2 steam. One flouring-mill, with two runs of stones.
Excellent opening for Lumber, Flour, or Woollen Manufactories.
Tama County is of rich, alluvial soil. The prairie and timber lands are exceedingly well proportioned to each other. Both upland and river-bottom timber in abundance for all the wants of the county, for fencing, building, and fuel purposes. It is confidently asserted that there is an abundance of coal in the county, but no banks have as yet been opened.
The face of the county is greatly undulating, with a good proportion of river bottom, two to four miles in width — well watered. The soil yields wheat, hemp, oats, corn, rye, barley, beans, peas, potatoes, and tobacco, each in great abundance, and with but little care as to culture. Native fruits grow in great variety, such as the grape, crab-apple, plum, gooseberry, strawberry, and raspberry, each growing in abundance.
The Mineral resources, although but partially developed, are known to be valuable and extensive. An abundance of the best lime-stone and stone-coal — the latter not so plenty as the former.
Every acre of Tama County is arable land, and it is therefore susceptible of as dense a population as any county in the State. To the Farmer, Stock-raiser, Mechanic, and Manufacturer, Tama holds out extra inducements. The locality is one of the most healthy, and the population one of the most thriving and energetic in the State. (Iowa As It Is in 1855; A Gazetteer for Citizens..., 1855)