Adair County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. It is located in the southwestern part of the state and was established in 1851. The county seat is Greenfield, and the population was 7,682 as of the 2020 Census.
Adair County has a total area of 565 square miles, making it one of Iowa’s smallest counties by area. It is bordered by Madison, Guthrie, Audubon and Cass counties to the north; Union and Clarke counties to the east; Madison County to the south; and Adams County to the west.
The terrain of Adair County is mostly hilly with some flat areas along rivers and streams. The Nodaway River runs through Adair County from north to south, while other smaller rivers include Coon Creek, Middle Nodaway Creek, West Nodaway Creek, Mill Creek and Little Mill Creek. The county also contains several small lakes including Lake Icaria State Park which offers camping facilities as well as fishing and boating opportunities.
Agriculture has long been an important part of life in Adair County with corn and soybeans being major crops grown here since its earliest days. Other crops grown here include oats, hay, wheat and sorghum. Cattle are also raised in this area for both milk production as well as beef production.
Adair County also has several small towns that provide services for local residents such as Greenfield (the county seat), Fontanelle (the largest town in Adair County), Bridgewater (a small farming community), Orient (a rural town with a few businesses) and Stuart (a small town known for its historic buildings).
The economy of Adair County relies heavily on agriculture but there are also several industries located here such as manufacturing companies that produce products like metal components for aerospace applications or plastic molding parts for automotive applications; agricultural product processing plants; food distribution centers; grain elevators; feed mills; livestock auction markets; lumber yards; hardware stores; automotive repair shops; gas stations; convenience stores; banks; credit unions; insurance companies; real estate agencies; churches; schools; libraries; museums; parks & recreation areas.
Adair County offers residents a peaceful rural lifestyle with plenty of recreational activities available including hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, camping, swimming, golfing, horseback riding, snowmobiling & more. There are several historical sites located throughout Adair County including Fontanelle’s “Old White Church” which dates back to 1868 & Stuart’s “Historic City Hall” which was built in 1895. Additionally there are numerous festivals & events held throughout the year such as “The Great Western Trail Days” held each June & “The Annual 4th Of July Celebration” held each July. These events offer visitors an opportunity to learn about local history & enjoy family-friendly activities.
Overall, Adair County provides its residents with a peaceful rural atmosphere that allows them to live their lives without worry or stress while still having access to modern amenities & conveniences when needed. Those looking for an escape from city life yet still want close proximity to larger cities can find what they need here. With its friendly people, strong sense of community spirit & plenty of outdoor activities available there’s something for everyone in Adair County.
History of Adair County, Iowa
Adair County, Iowa is located in the southwest corner of the state and is part of the rolling hills region of the state. It was formed in 1851 from portions of Guthrie and Cass Counties, and was named after John Adair, who served as Governor of Kentucky from 1820-1824. The first settlers arrived in the county in 1853, and were mostly from Ohio and other parts of Iowa. The first town was Adairville, founded in 1854.
The county’s population grew steadily over the years as more settlers arrived to take advantage of its fertile soil and plentiful natural resources such as timber, coal and limestone. By 1860 there were over 4,200 residents living in Adair County.
During the Civil War, Adair County contributed a large number of soldiers to both Union and Confederate forces. Afterward, many veterans returned to their homes in Adair County where they helped to rebuild their communities. In 1870, two railroads were built through the county which further boosted its economy by providing transportation for agricultural products to markets outside of Iowa.
In 1876 a courthouse was built at Fontanelle which served as the county seat until 1893 when it moved to Greenfield. This shift was due largely to increased railroad access at Greenfield which made it a more attractive location for businesses looking to locate within Adair County.
Throughout the late 19th century and early 20th century agriculture remained an important part of Adair County’s economy with corn being one of its main crops along with oats, hay, wheat and potatoes. In addition to farming there were also several small manufacturing businesses that provided jobs for local residents including wagon makers, blacksmiths and furniture makers among others.
Today, agriculture is still an important part of life in Adair County with corn being one of its main crops along with soybeans, hay and oats while livestock production also remains significant. In addition, there are numerous other businesses that have located here including manufacturing firms such as 3M Company which produces adhesives used in automotive parts production; GPC Inc., a manufacturer of industrial coatings; Cargill Animal Nutrition; Hawkeye Energy Solutions; Maytag Dairy Farms; Pella Corporation; Tama Manufacturing Company; Tyson Foods; Vermeer Corporation; Wabash National Corporation; Winnebago Industries Inc.; and many others that provide jobs for local residents throughout Adair County.