Crawford County Map

Please click and enlarge the provided Crawford County map below to find the community in which the following attractions appear. You may also download a high resolution .pdf map here to print. This may provide you with a more detailed view of the map and community locations.

Great River Road – Highway 35
National Scenic Byway covers 250 miles of adventure with thousands of points of interest, includes the Wisconsin counties of: Pierce, Pepin, Buffalo, Trempealeau, LaCrosse, Vernon, Crawford, & Grant, Hwy 35 along the Mississippi River.

Black Hawk Recreation Area & Marker – DeSoto

The marker commemorates the site of the 1832 Battle of Bad Axe, where Chief Black Hawk and his band of Sauk followers made their historic stand against the U.S. infantry.

Observation Deck – Ferryville

Rafting on the Mississippi Marker – Lynxville

After 1837 the vast timber resources of northern Wisconsin were eagerly sought by settlers moving into the mid-Mississippi valley.  By 1847 there were more than thirty sawmills on the Wisconsin, Chippewa, and St. Croix river systems, cutting largely Wisconsin white pine.  During long winter months, logging crews felled and stacked logs on the frozen rivers.  Spring thaws flushed the logs down the stream toward the Mississippi River.  Here logs were caught, sorted, scaled, and rafted.  Between 1837 and 1901 more than forty million board feet of logs floated down the Great River to sawmills.  The largest log raft on the Mississippi was assembled at Lynxville in 1896.  It was 270 feet wide and 1550 feet long, containing two and one-fourth million board feet of lumber.

US Lock & Dam #9 – Lynxville *
Largest federally managed pool on the Mississippi River

Hubbard's Fishing Float – Lynxville

Hwy. 35 N, Float is located just below Lock & Dam #9, 10 minutes north of Prairie du Chien, WI.  The fishing float offers great fishing in a prime spot for those who do not have a boat. Fishing tackle available. Special rates for groups.  608-732-1084 or 608-874-4707

http://www.hubbardsfishingfloat.com/

Effigy Mounds National Monument – Marquette, IA
Established to preserve outstanding examples of a prehistoric American Indian mound building culture that regularly constructed mounds in the shape of mammals, birds, or reptiles. The monument contains 2,526 acres with 195 mounds of which 31 are effigies. The visitor center contains museum exhibits, a video presentation, and book sales outlet, 11 miles of hiking trails.

Isle of Capri Casino – Marquette, IA
Over 750 slots, table games; two hour cruises on the Mississippi River weekdays throughout spring and summer; regional and headline entertainment; Calypso Café. 800-4-YOU-BET

Upper Mississippi Refuge
The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge provides many, opportunities to hunt, fish, camp, and watch wildlife. Highlights in the Prairie du Chien area include the Sturgeon Slough Hiking Trail, accessed from the rest stop located on Highway 18 between Prairie du Chien and Marquette. 563-873-3423

Prairie du Chien Historical Marker

In prehistoric times water from melting glaciers cut a wide valley between the bluffs of the Mississippi River to form a broad flood plain.  On it French explorers traders and missionaries found a large and well-established Fox Indian village.  The chief’s name was Lim in Indian, Chien in French, and dog in English.  Jonathan Carver visited the village in 1766 and called it “Dog Plain” but the residents preferred the French “Prairie du Chien.” 

Villa Louis Historical Site & Markers – Prairie du Chien
Located on St. Feriole Island, Villa Louis Rd. National historic landmark site owned and operated by the Wisconsin Historical Society. Tour six historic structures including the Villa Louis mansion. 608-326-2721

Fort Crawford Museum & Markers – Prairie du Chien
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Self guided tour of three buildings with over 50 exhibits. Showcasing the reconstructed Fort Crawford Hospital on its original site. Other exhibits include Dr. William Beaumont's digestive experiments; medical, national, and local history exhibits; 1829 Fort Crawford Military Cemetery, and more.

War of 1812 Historical Marker – Prairie du Chien

Although Prairie du Chien belonged to the United States after the American Revolution, its pioneer residents were tied by trade, tradition, and family to the British community at Mackinac and to the St. Lawrence River Ports.  During the War of 1812, Gov. William Clark of Missouri recognized the strategic importance of Prairie du Chien’s location, and sent about 150 soldiers to build a fort here.  When it was dedicated June 19, 1814, the American flag was raised for the first time over a Wisconsin fort.  Pro-British residents alerted the British at Mackinac and a force of 150 militia and 400 Indians was quickly sent to Prairie du Chien.  The fort was compelled to surrender on July 20 and was re-named Fort McKay by the British.  When the war ended, the British burned the fort and withdrew.  The Americans began construction of another fort July 3, 1816, and named it Fort Crawford.  The reconstructed blockhouse marks one corner of Fort Crawford.  

Marquette & Jolliet Historical Marker – Prairie du Chien

In 1673, Louis Jolliet, Canadian fur-trader and explorer, and Father Jacques Marquette, French Jesuit Missionary, with five French Canadian boatmen, were the first white men to enter the upper Mississippi River.  Indians directed them to the Great River via the Fox-Wisconsin waterway from the present site of Green Bay to Prairie du Chien.  The Frenchmen entered the Mississippi River June 17, 1673. 

Black Hawk’s Surrender Marker – Prairie du Chien

Wisconsin Travel Information Center –

Prairie du Chien

LaRiviere Park & Horse Trail – Prairie du Chien
Located on Vineyard Coulee Road southeast of Prairie du Chien.
A 300-acre city park in its natural setting with native prairie, Provides hiking, nature, bird watching, skiing, riding trails, picnic area, shelter house and free horse camping.

Prairie Hills Trail Rides – Prairie du Chien
 Home of The Children's Ranch - is one of the Midwest's finest, all-inclusive horse vacation destinations. We offer camping, boarding, miles and miles of trails, hiking, horse rentals and everything necessary to make your trail riding vacation just the way you want it to be. The beautiful scenic hills along the Mississippi River are the perfect place for you, your family and your horses to unwind and have a great getaway. Call 608-326-6167

St. Feriole Island – Prairie du Chien
Area of earliest settlement and activity in Prairie du Chien. Site of the Battle of Prairie du Chien during the War of 1812 and of the First Fort Crawford where three important Indian treaties were signed, home of the Villa Louis. Host to annual events including the Prairie Villa Rendezvous, Town and Country Jamboree, the Rodeo, Prairie Dog Blues Fest and the Villa Louis Carriage Classic. Ideal for walking and biking. Two approaches to the island, at the newly renovated Blackhawk Avenue entrance and at Washington Street.

Mississippi River Sculpture Park - Prairie du Chien

Located on St. Feriole Island, the Sculpture Park is now under construction.  It will eventually feature approximately 24 over-life-size bronze historical figures imbedded in the rim of a concrete fire circle.  The Park will include figures from different times during the long history and prehistory of Prairie du Chien where the Wisconsin River meets the Mississippi River.  The Sculpture Park's artist and founder, Florence Bird, envisions that the Park will symbolize "people from various places and eras gathering together on this ground to share food and stories around a campfire, to learn from each other and to celebrate their similarities and differences." 

Lawler Park – Prairie du Chien
Riverfront park on St. Feriole Island in Prairie du Chien. It features the Walk of History detailing earliest periods of Wisconsin’s Second Oldest Community.

Wacouta Aquatic Park & Fort Fun – Prairie du Chien
1401 East Wells. A Prairie du Chien residential park featuring an outdoor swimming pool complete with waterslide and Fort Fun play area. Picnic areas. A perfect spot for the entire family. Pool open May through Labor Day. 608-326-8071

Hoffman Hall Sports Complex – Prairie du Chien
1600 S Wacouta. Full court basketball gymnasium and heated Olympic size indoor swimming pool. 608-326-2985

Star Cinema – Prairie du Chien
Hwy 18/35 S. 6-plex movie theater, matinees and evening shows daily. 1-800-636-STAR or 608-326-4541

http://www.starcinema.com/

Cabela’s – Prairie du Chien
Hwy 35 N, Prairie du Chien, WI. 40,000 sq. ft. retail showroom offers the latest in hunting, fishing and outdoor gear. 608-326-5600

Julia Belle Swain – Prairie du Chien
Docking site - St. Feriole Island riverfront. One of only five steamboats on the Mississippi River, day trips from LaCrosse and Prairie du Chien. 800-815-1005

Mississippi Explorer I or II – Prairie du Chien
Docking site - St. Feriole Island riverfront. Sightseeing and group charter cruises available. 563-586-2179

Willie & Nellie’s Place – Prairie du Chien
Located at the gateway to St. Feriole Island, 400 W Blackhawk Ave, Prairie du Chien. Canoes, fishing boats, paddle boats, pontoons, bikes, fresh bait & fishing information, 18 hole mini golf course, The Root Beer Stand, The Bait Shanty.  608-326-8602

Barnyard 9 – Prairie du Chien
Three miles north on County K. 32 par golf course, open to public, rentals for golf clubs & carts. 608-326-4941

Prairie du Chien Country Club – Prairie du Chien
Hwy 18/35 S. 18-hole scenic golf course open to the public, par 71. 608-326-6707

Winneshiek Marina and Bar – Prairie du Chien
Three miles north on County K, Prairie du Chien
Gas, pumping, overnight & seasonal docking, bait shop, food & bar, restrooms, showers, marine radio. 608-326-2888

Shihata Orchards – Prairie du Chien
Six miles NE on Hwy 27, left on Limery Rd, Prairie du Chien. Scenic apple orchard, over 20,000 apple trees producing 16 varieties of apples. 608-326-2785

Captain’s Cove Canoe Rentals – Prairie du Chien
Located 5 minutes south of Prairie du Chien on Hwy. 18 along the Wisconsin River. Canoe trips on the Wisconsin River available. 608-994-2860

Boatels Houseboat Rentals – McGregor, IA
103 Main, McGregor, IA. Houseboats, pontoon boats, & fishing boats. 800-747-2628, 563-873-3718

Pikes Peak State Park – McGregor, IA
Spectacular view of the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers and surrounding river valley.

Wyalusing State Park – Bagley
Located 10 miles south of Prairie du Chien. Features views of the historic junction of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers where the first Europeans, Marquette and Joliet landed in 1673. Campsites, group camping facilities, picnic facilities, 22 miles of hiking and nature trails, and a year round naturalist. 608-996-2261

Indian Mound Wayside – Highway 60

Kickapoo Indian Caverns – Wauzeka

Carved by underground rivers and used for centuries as shelter by Native Americans, the ancient cavern stands as testament to nature’s creativity, with the Majestic Cathedral Room featuring a 60’ high onyx ceiling, the Frozen Waterfall, and the Turquoise Room.  Hwy 60 on Rhein Hollow Rd, Wauzeka, 15 miles SE of Prairie du Chien, WI. Largest show cave in the Midwest.  Tours at 11am, 2pm, and 4pm by reservation only.  608-875-7723

LWR Genealogical and Historical Research Center – Wauzeka

The Lower Wisconsin River Genealogical and Historical Research Center, LWR for short, is a nonprofit organization whose purposes are to create and foster interests in genealogy, family, and area history; gather and preserve the records and artifacts of our ancestors, founders, and early settlers in our area; and to aid individuals, organizations, and the public in genealogical and area history pursuits.  Meetings are held every fourth Saturday of January, March, May, July, September and November at the Century Hall in Wauzeka, Wisconsin. Membership is open to anyone interested in genealogy and history and in the promotion of the purposes of the LWR. Membership entitles each member or household to a subscription to the newsletter, surname listing, and use of our new library at the Century Hall.

Phetteplace Display – Wauzeka

Joseph Phetteplace of Wauzeka, Wisconsin, who died in 1982, was one of the nation’s top lapidaries, the art of cutting and engraving precious stones. His creative and meticulously detained works have had a major influence on contemporary lapidary artists in this country.  As a professional inlay artist in mother-of-pearl, chiefly for elegant musical instruments for well-known musicians, Phetteplace was equally renowned for his mosaics.  An admirer of Lincoln, Phetteplace painted a portrait in stone of this president, using 2700 intricately cut and fitted pieces of gemstones for the realistic life-sized masterpiece.  The project took 2700 hours.  Shown at regional and national shows, the mosaic won several awards and drew world-wide attention to his work, and was influential in starting many American lapidaries to expand and perfect the lapidary art. 

Scenic View – Seneca

County Fairgrounds – Gays Mills

Museum of the Kickapoo – Gays Mills

The Museum of the Kickapoo, created by Community Conservation, Inc, opened July 4, 1998 as part of the Wisconsin Sesquicentennial celebration in Gays Mills.  It was created for local people, tourists and local schools.  Situated within the historical hydroelectric dam building on the Kickapoo River in Gays Mills, the Museum of the Kickapoo offers detailed information about the geological history, plant and animal life, various ecosystems, and conservation practices in the valley.

Log Cabin Heritage Park – Gays Mills

The Log Cabin Heritage Park was established in the early 1970’s by the Crawford County Historical Society.  Cabins were donated from around the Kickapoo Valley, dismantled log-by-log and re-assembled in the park.  The purpose and mission of the park was to “preserve the folk architecture of the Kickapoo Valley.”  The cabins sat un-repaired for quite a while, but in the spring of 1996, a group of people sent out an “SOS” to ‘Save our Settlement.”  With energy and enthusiasm the group joined again with the Crawford County Historical Society as a chapter, calling themselves the Log Cabin Heritage Society.  It is hoped that the park can remain a place where the people of the present can touch a bit of the past.

Apple Orchard Historical Marker – Gays Mills

Farmers in this area learned early that the land on both sides of the Kickapoo River offered excellent conditions for apple growing.  In 1905, John Hays and Ben Twining collected apples from eight or ten farmers around Gays Mills for exhibit at the State Fair.  The exhibit won first prize, then went on to capture first honors in a national apple show in New York.  This experience prompted the Wisconsin State Horticultural Society to urge a project of “trial orchards” around the state to interest growers in commercial production.  The Society examined a site on High Ridge and planted five acres with five recommended varieties.  By 1911, the orchard had grown so vigorously that an organization was formed in Gays Mills to promote the selling of orchards.  Today more than a thousand acres here produce apples nationally known for their color and flavor. 

STILLIFE Wildlife Museum - Gays Mills

Located in the town of  Petersburg 4 miles south of Gays Mills, it has over 500 Taxidermy mounts.  Open only on weekends.  There is no fee.  48577 Petersburg Lane, Gays Mills, WI  54631.  608 735-4664

Soldiers Grove Origin Historical Marker

In late July, during the Black Hawk War of 1832, Sac Indian leader Black Hawk led his starving followers through this area in their escape from the General Henry Atkinson and his military forces. After Black Hawk's brilliant delaying tactics at the Battle of Wisconsin Heights, he fled with his band towards the Mississippi River. On August 1st, in their pursuit of Black Hawk, about 1,300 United States Army and militia, including notable future leaders, Col. Zachary Taylor, Col. Henry Dodge and Albert Sydney Johnson, encamped in this vicinity, known then as Pine Grove Village. Weary from their trek through the rugged terrain of Western Wisconsin, the soldiers rested; their exhausted and hungry horses, which were unable to find food for days in the jagged terrain, foraged in the grass here. Because this military encampment became widely known throughout the territory, Pine Grove Village was renamed Soldiers Grove.

James Davidson Historical Marker – Soldiers Grove

Product of a small American community, James O. Davidson’s life illustrates the romance of citizenship in a democracy.  Born 1854 in Norway, where he received little formal education, he emigrated in 1872 and was a farmer and tailor before coming in 1877 to Soldiers Grove.  A leading merchant here for twenty-three years, “Yim” was village president, village treasurer, assemblyman, state treasurer, and lieutenant-governor before he attained the governorship, 1906 – 1911. 

Front cover and majority of photos throughout this site - courtesy of Larry Knutson Photography. Bicycling photos courtesy of Jerry Quebe, Diane Craig, Mark Drake, and Patti Wacker.  Gays Mills Orchard photo - courtesy of Marlene Meyer. Kickapoo Cavern photo - courtesy of Delores Gaidowski. Log Cabin-Heritage Park photo - courtesy of Betty France, while other photos are unknown.