In the southwestern part of Iowa is Cass County and the little town of Lewis. These entities were named after Lewis Cass, a senator from Michigan. This settlement was established in the early 1850s.
Commissioners determined that the boundaries of Lewis were set with the intention that it become the county seat. The county seat was later moved to the city of Atlantic. It was decided to lay out the town of Lewis just a mile or so from Indiantown, a settlement established in 1846 by Mormons, who were heading West from Nauvoo, Illinois.
Presently, historical plaques, interpretive panels and markers note the earlier presence of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints following the Iowa Mormon Trail near Lewis. A stone Mormon Trail marker is located in the Lewis town park. Just west of Lewis is the Hitchcock House, a stone home built in 1856 when Mormon handcart pioneers were passing through the area. It is now a National Historic Landmark because of its use as a station during the Underground Railroad movement.
The 2010 census noted the population of Lewis to be 444. Lewis is located about 40 miles east of Council Bluffs, Iowa.