The 1854 Gazetteer of the United States by Thomas Baldwin shows:

BUREAU, a county toward the N. W. part of Illinois, has an area of about 800 square miles. It is bounded on the S. E. by the Illinois river, and intersected by Green river and Bureau creek. The surface is generally level or slightly undulating, and destitute of timber, excepting small groves: the soil is good. Indian corn, wheat, oats, and pork are the staples. In 1850 the county produced 542,823 bushels of Indian corn 171,402 of wheat; 119,048 of oats; 9428 tons of hay, and 151,410 pounds of butter. It contained 13 churches and 1 newspaper establishment. There were 1473 pupils attending public schools. The Illinois river is navigable by steamboats on the border of the county. A railroad is in progress of construction through the county from Rock Island to Chicago. Capital, Princeton. Population, 8841.