Poland, the only town in Cass township, lying within a half mile of the Owen county line, six miles north of Bowling Green, dates its beginning back to 1841, when John B. Nees, John Chance, Isaac Anderson and James Crafton, owners of the lands cornering at the crossing of the roads. contributed to the plat and founded the town-site. The name conferred was but a selection by mutual agreement on the part of the proprietors. This town is pleasantly situated in the midst of an industrious, prosperous farming community, of which the population is largely German. Soon after the founding of the town a postoffice was established, served by star route from Bowling Green. A man named Wittenberg was the first merchant of the town. Nees & Peyton engaged in merchandising at an early day in the history of the place and did business for a number of years. Their successors in mercantile pursuits, along the line, were Lawrence Athey, Adam Tressel, Tressel & Kattman, R. M. Wingate, Stwalley & Son, William S. Walker, J. C. McGregor, Henry Spelbring, Calvin B. Moore, Baumunk Brothers, Dr. Chamberlain, and others.

The two-story graded schoolhouse was originally built by Trustee Adam Tressel in 1872. Two churches are maintained in the town— Presbyterian and Methodist. The present M. E, church was built and dedicated in 1873, the dedication taking place on the 21st day of September. The Presbyterian was built three years earlier. Of the practicing physicians were Drs. Cornwell, Stone, Bartholomew, Chamberlain and Elliott. Of the postmasters remembered John J. Hoffman, John Schroer and N. B. Bartholomew.

Poland, it is said, was at one time an incorporated town, and that within the time of the existence of the municipality a vote was taken to express the sense of the population on the question of tolerating the saloon, the election resulting in favor of a “dry” town. This was at some time in the early fifties. Thomas Marsh, who died at Bowling Green a good many years ago, is said to have been the Marshal of the town. However, Poland had saloons in the later years. It is the only town in Clay county, in the State of Indiana, and perhaps within the whole United States, in which a saloon was advertised and did business under the name of “The Symposium,” in bold-faced letters.