Crawford County

Crawford County is an administrative division in southwestern Wisconsin spanning approximately 2,450 square kilometers (599 square miles) with the Mississippi River forming its western boundary. The landscape features rolling hills, farmland, and several waterways, with Prairie du Chien serving as the main population center.

The area was established in 1818 by the Michigan Territorial legislature and named after William H. Crawford, a prominent Treasury Secretary. It began as a trading post location and gradually developed into an agricultural center as settlers arrived in the region.

The county maintains strong connections to agriculture and river-based activities that shape how people live and work here today. Residents take pride in preserving traditional skills and participating actively in community initiatives tied to the land and water.

The county is accessible by regional roads with bridges crossing its waterways throughout the area. Visitors should note that services like restaurants and lodging are concentrated in Prairie du Chien and smaller towns rather than spread across the countryside.

The county sits at the confluence of three major rivers—the Mississippi, Wisconsin, and Kickapoo—which have long served as trade routes and natural boundaries. This meeting point of waterways made the area strategically important to early traders and settlers who depended on river transportation.

Location: Wisconsin

Inception: 1818

Capital city: Prairie du Chien

Shares border with: Vernon County, Richland County, Grant County, Clayton County, Allamakee County

Website: http://crawfordcountywi.org

GPS coordinates: 43.23000,-90.93000

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:42