This book explores the early phase of the history of Blackford County, Indiana, from the Native American presence through the "Gas Boom" and the construction of the current courthouse in 1894-95. It examines in depth the creation of Blackford County, the establishment and growth of Hartford city as the county seat, and the construction of the first courthouse and the resulting creation of a public square which became the commercial and business center of the community.
Its appendix contains the memories of some of its pioneer settlers, the 1838 act which created Blackford County, a list of county officials from 1839 to 1894, etc.