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

RALLS, a county in the E. N. E. part of Missouri, contains about 430 square miles. It is bounded on the N. E. by the Mississippi, which separates it from Illinois, traversed from W. to E. by Salt river, and also drained by Spencer's and Lick creeks. The surface is somewhat diversified, and the soil generally good. Originally, about three-fourths of the surface was covered with forests of hard wood. Indian corn, wheat, oats, hay, cattle, and swine are the staples. In 1850 the county produced 495,435 bushels of corn 61,427 of wheat; 49,603 of oats; 2291 tons of hay, and 78,274 pounds of butter. There were 15 churches, and 1428 pupils attending public schools. Limestone underlies the greater part of the county. Stone coal and iron ore are found in it. Capital, New London. Population, 6151; of whom 4783 were free, and 1868, slaves.