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

ELKHART, a county in the N. part of Indiana, bordering on Michigan, contains 467 square miles. It is drained by the St. Joseph's and Elkhart rivers, which unite within its limits. The surface is undulating, and the soil is very productive. About halt of the county is occupied by oak-openings and prairies: the remainder was originally covered by dense forests. In the N. are several lakes, the largest of which is near 3 miles in circuit. Wheat, corn, and oats are the staples. In 1850, this county produced 370,973 bushels of corn; 174,716; 104,940 of oats, and 8287 tons of hay. It contained 10 churches, 1 newspaper office, and 1800 pupils attending public schools. The streams afford abundant water-power. The North Indiana railroad passes through the county. Capital, Goshen. Population, 12,690.