10 FIKLK OI'KHATIONS OT Till. lUKKAr OK SOILS, lf>19. 



OlluT towns of local iiii[>oitaiicc are (Joldlield, w itli a population of 

 749; Woolstock, witli 2J)4 ; Kowan, with .'502, and Gait, with 134. 

 Olaf, in the noitliorn part of the county, is a local tiadinf; center 

 and shipping' point, (rrain elevators arc located at Palsville, Cor- 

 nelia, Solher^r, Florence, and Nuel. There are no towns away from 

 railroads. 



The railroad racilitios of tlio county are fair, no farm hein<; more 

 than 12 miles from a .'^hij)i)in^ point. The Chicago (ireat Western 

 Kailroad runs dia<ronall3' across the county from northeast to south- 

 west throujih Palsville, Belmond, Cornelia, Florence, P^agle Grove, 

 and Nuel. At Clarion the main line to Chicaj^o turns directly east- 

 ward, providing transjiortation and market facilities for Solberg 

 and Rowan. The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific line passes through 

 Goldlield, Clarion, Gait, and Dows. At Dows a branch line extends 

 to the north through Rowan and Belmond. The Chicago & North 

 Western lines traverse the county in a northwesterly direction, pass- 

 ing through AVoolstock, Eagle Grove, and Goldficld. A branch of 

 this line extends northwest from Eagle Grove. The Minneapolis & 

 St. Louis Railroad passes through Olaf and Belmond. These roads 

 provide tran.sportation to the various large markets. 



The wagon roads of the county are mostly of earth. Extensive 

 plans are in progress for improving and graveling the main high- 

 wa3's in the immediate .future. A few of the main highways have 

 been surfaced with gravel and can be used for autos and trucks 

 practicall}" the entire 3'ear. The Diagonal Trail runs from east to 

 west through the center of the county, and the Albert Lea Road 

 runs along the eastern side from north to south. The less important 

 roads are nearly all graded and during the summer are kept in good 

 shape by dragging. E.xcept along the rivers and streams where 

 topography prevents, the roads generally follow land lines. 



The county is liberally supplied with rural mail routes, and prac- 

 tically all farms have telephone service. 



The public-school systems are well developed, and schools are 

 accessible to all communities. The rural districts around Rowan 

 have consolidated and established an excellent school there. Other 

 rural schools in the county are independent. 



Excellent houses and other farm buildings, mostly of wood con- 

 struction, are generally found throughout the county. 



The important local markets are Clarion and Eagle Grove. A 

 large proportion of the live stock and other agricultural products is 

 sold to local buyers, although a few producers ship direct to the 

 larger citie.';. Chicago, St. Paul, Sioux Cit}', and Omaha are the 

 principal markets for the products of tlie farm. 



