History of the Counties of Woodbury and Plymouth, Iowa: Including an Extended Sketch of Sioux City, Their Early Settlement and Progress to the Present Time, a Description of Their Historic and Interesting Localities, Sketches of the Townships, Cities and Villages, Portraits of Some of the Prominent Men, and Biographies of Many of the Representative Citizens. Part -2, 410-1022 p.

Plymouth County is one of the largest counties in Iowa, claiming 864 square miles. The early pioneers made this observation: "If you stared long enough at the open prairie, it would stare back at you!" The first white settlers arrived in 1856 and began establishing the communities of Westfield and Melbourne that same year. The town of Le Mars was founded in 1869. The town name was derived from the first initials of five women who visited the site with a railroad official. The early pioneers endured hardships and disappointments. They were committed to a way of life, forging ahead to make a better life for themselves, their children, and their grandchildren. Plymouth County portrays an overview of the county's history in early photographs.