Crawford

Formed January 1, 1818 (2^nd county)

Crawford County (16,115), Prairie du Chien (5,515)                

The original courthouse was built in 1867 with additions in 1896 and 1931.  It is sited on Beaumont, Park, Waucoutta, and Court streets.  United States Highway 18 is three blocks south of the site.  The stone Italianate and Georgian Revival structure was designed by Michael Menges.  It features columns and veteran memorials on the grounds.  An Administration Building was added in 2005.  Prairie du Chien has always been the county seat.  The county was formed on January 1, 1818 as an original county (2^nd county.)  It is named for United States Treasurer William H. Crawford.  Prairie du Chien was named for a Native American chief from the French words “prairie of the dog.” 

Crawford County government consists of a sheriff and 17 Supervisors.  One Circuit Court Judge serves Crawford County.  The county is on the southwest border with Iowa.  The Mississippi River is its western border and the Wisconsin River is its southern border.  Madison, Wisconsin is east and Minneapolis, Minnesota is northwest of the county.  The county center is 23.5 miles Northeast of Prairie du Chien nearer Barnum.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Vernon, Richland, and Grant counties and Iowa. 

The area of the county is 570.7 square miles.  It is 52 out of 72 in the state.  It ranks 62 out of 72 in population in the state.  It has a density of 28.2 persons per square mile making it 55 out of 72 in the state.  Crawford County has 52.2% of its population in its incorporated areas.  United States Highway 61 comes into the county from the north, Vernon County, and goes to the south, Grant County.  The county is shaped like a lazy capital letter J.  Prairie du Chien is located on the southwest border of the county.  Prairie du Chien is the county seat and the largest city.  It is 34.2% of the county population.  The county seat is pronounced PRAE-REE DUE SHEE-EN.