The Oliver plow was in use by 1896 which could cut through the prairie sod.

The plot was established in 1882 on land that was broken from native prairie sod.

Blacksmith John Deere made his fortune when he became the first to make a plow that could reliably cut the prairie sod.

Before them the wagon pounded over untrailed prairie sod, with shadowy figures fleeing always before.

A lack of timber forced settlers to build homes out of prairie sod.

Soon the tough prairie sod was broken by the plow which made acres and acres of land available for farming.

Employed by a local farmer, by the age of fifteen he started his own business breaking prairie sod for new settlers in the area.

They grew up early through the hard work of helping their families dig up the prairie sod to make the first fields.

Schools and grain elevators were built, the town grew as more people arrived, and prairie sod was turned under to sow crops.

As shelter was essential, the frontier farmer utilized ribbons of the thick prairie sod cut as they plowed their virgin land.