HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY CHAPTER I. NATURAL PHENOMENA. Location — Area — Water Courses — Surface Features — Ancient River Beds — Elevations — Soil — Forest Trees — Artesian Wells — Sources of Wealth — Native Animals. On its splendid course from Itasca to the Gulf, the mighty Mississippi passes no fairer land than that which it touches from Prairie Island to Central Point, where, guarded on the north by towering bluffs and broken here and there by picturesque valleys, Goodhue county stretches to the southward in undulating prairies. Unusually blessed by nature with deep soil and abundant natural resources, and endowed with a wealth of prehistoric and historic lore, it is a fitting home for the sturdy people who have here made their dwelling place. Hard-working, progressive and pros- perous, they have appreciated the gifts which nature has spread for them, and have added their own toil to the work of the ele- ments, making the county one of the garden spots of the earth. On the hills graze cattle and sheep, while the level lands respond to the efforts of the spring-time sower and planter with a wealth of harvest in the summer and autumn. On nearly every quarter section is reared a comfortable home and commodious barns, while from every hill top are visable the churches and schools wherein the people worship the Giver of all Gifts and educate their children. The county seat city is known for its progres- siveness in all parts of the world, and the busy villages and hamlets have had their share in the growth of the county by furnishing a shipping and trading point for the product of the farms. Thus blessed by God and beloved by man, the county 1
