Adams was originally called South Friendship, but after a petition from residents who did not like the name, the Chicago and North Western Railway changed it to Adams due to its short nature.

[5] The town became a division point in 1911 for the lines of the Chicago and North Western Railway[6] The Milwaukee, Sparta, and Northwestern Railroad, a subsidiary of the Chicago and North Western Railway, began the "Air Line" or "Adams Cutoff" from Adams towards Sparta, Wisconsin in 1910.

[9] Adams shares a common border with the Village of Friendship, leading to the common use of the name Adams-Friendship in news and weather reports as well as the name of the city's school district Adams Friendship Area School District.

There were 990 housing units at an average density of 335.6 per square mile (129.6/km2).

41.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

35.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There has been no rail passenger service since the end of the Twin Cities 400 in 1963, which was operated by the Chicago and North Western Railway.