This information was first published in 1888:

TOPOGRAPHY AND CHARACTERISTICS.

THE northern part of the county is gently rolling with occasional hills, and is well watered by creeks, branches and springs. There is a large area of meadow lands in the four creeks that traverse it. The meadow and bottom lands are easily drained, and there is but little land in this part of the county that is not tillable. This section abounds in schools and churches. Oak, hickory, dogwood, persimmon, ash and pine timber is plentiful. The products are corn, wheat, cotton, rye, clover, barley and all kinds of grasses. Fine hogs, cattle and sheep are raised in this, as well as in all sections of the county. The western part of the county is well watered by three creeks and several branches, and is bounded on the west by the Catawba river. It has plenty of fine water power, and the land is rich, producing fine crops of cereals, cotton and grasses. The southern section differs but little from the northern section. The soil is of a dark loam, finely adapted to all forms of agriculture. The eastern section is rolling, but not hilly. The soil alternates a grayish sandy top with red subsoil, admirably adapted to cotton, tobacco, fruits, cereals and stock raising. The whole county is well timbered. The schools are good, society excellent, and church privileges as complete as could be desired.