Adaza, Iowa

Adaza was founded in 1881, established in Section 7 of Highland Township. A branch of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad was built through Adaza.^[2] Originally, the site was known as Cottonwood, but was renamed by Captain Albert Head, who visited the site in 1882. The first store in Adaza opened in 1892. A larger railroad depot was built in 1899. A tornado hit the Adaza area in 1902, destroying several nearby farms. Two churches were built at Adaza, both in 1902: the Church of Christ and the Methodist Episcopal church; the latter was rebuilt in 1907 after a devastating fire. Residents of Adaza considered incorporation as a city in 1907, but Adaza was never incorporated.^[3]

Adaza's population was 25 in 1902,^[4] and 18 in 1925.^[5] The population was 100 in 1940.^[6]