Natural Resources

There is no greater natural resource than the rich Iowa soil around Steamboat Rock.

The earliest recorded breaking of Hardin county virgin soil by the white man was in autumn of 1849 in what is now Union township, by Greenberry Haggin. The next spring about a half dozen others turned over a small plot of ground and planted corn and vegetables.

Soon others followed and in 1854, Isaac Lesh, came to what is now Steamboat Rock, and while he was first a merchant, he also tilled his own land as did all the settlers. They had to be self sufficient or starve.

Many came as merchants, some as craftsmen, but as difficult as it was in that day to be a farmer, many chose that calling as a way of life.

When the first settlers came there were numerous swamps and marshes in some sections of Hardin county. The low flat places were avoided for higher ground, not only on account of wetness, but for
sanitary reasons. Ditching and general cultivation of the surface brought great change in the soil for the better.

Farming became and is still Iowa’s greatest industry and Steamboat Rock’s as well. It was a farm community from the start and continues as a farm community today. A proud and productive heritage
indeed. The community owes a great deal to the rich soil. A great deal more will be said in later chapters on the subject of the soil and farming.