According to Liuxers, Crawford County, Kansas is a county located in the southeastern corner of the state of Kansas. With a population of over 39,000 people, it is one of the most populous counties in Kansas. The county seat is Girard and its largest city is Pittsburg.
The county was established in 1867 and named after William H. Crawford, who served as Secretary of War under President James Madison. The county covers an area of 816 square miles and has a population density of 48 people per square mile.
The primary industries in Crawford County are agriculture and manufacturing with major employers such as Cargill Meat Solutions, ATI Specialty Alloys & Components, and Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation providing jobs to many in the area. Agriculture has been an important part of the economy since its founding with corn, wheat, soybeans, sorghum, and hay being some of the major crops grown here.
Crawford County has several educational institutions including Pittsburg State University which offers bachelors and master’s degrees to students from around the world. There are also several private schools such as Girard High School which serves students K-12 just outside Girard City limits.
For those looking for outdoor activities there are plenty to choose from within Crawford County including hiking trails at Big Hill Park or fishing on Elk Creek Lake or at Prairie Dog State Park just outside Frontenac City limits. For those looking for more family-friendly activities, there is also an annual music festival held each summer at Pittsburg Amphitheater or an array of events throughout the year at nearby towns like Frontenac or Girard City Park.
Crawford County offers something for everyone with its vibrant economy, quality education system and a wide variety of recreational activities available year round.
History of Crawford County, Kansas
Crawford County, Kansas was established in 1867 and named after William H. Crawford, who served as Secretary of War under President James Madison. Prior to its official establishment, the area was part of Bourbon County and then Cherokee County. In the late 1850s, settlers began to move into the area and it quickly grew in population due to its fertile soil and abundance of resources like water, timber, and minerals.
The first post office in Crawford County opened in 1858 in Uniontown and was soon followed by other small settlements like Pittsburg, which was founded in 1860. Over the following decades the population continued to rise as more settlers moved into the area looking for new opportunities.
During the Civil War, Crawford County had a small but active military presence with several regiments being formed from local volunteers including a cavalry unit known as “The Kansas Jayhawkers” which saw action at several battles across Missouri and Arkansas.
In 1879, Pittsburg became the county seat after a heated election between Uniontown and Girard that lasted nearly two years. Afterward, many businesses began to open up throughout the county including banks, stores, schools, churches and other establishments that helped shape Crawford into what it is today.
By 1920 Crawford County had grown significantly with over 30 townships having been formed since its founding. The Great Depression hit hard here as many businesses were forced to close or scale back operations but things slowly began to improve when World War II started bringing new jobs to the area from nearby military bases like Ft Leonard Wood in Missouri.
Today, Crawford County is home to over 39 thousand people living across 816 square miles of land with a diverse economy consisting of agriculture (corn/wheat/soybeans/sorghum/hay), manufacturing (Cargill Meat Solutions/ATI Specialty Alloys & Components/Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation) along with education (Pittsburg State University) that makes this a great place for families and businesses alike.
Major cities and towns in Crawford County, Kansas
Crawford County, Kansas is home to a number of vibrant and diverse communities that make up its 816 square miles. The county seat is Pittsburg, a city of 20,000 people located in the northeastern part of the county. Pittsburg is known for its rich history and vibrant culture, with attractions such as the Crawford County Historical Museum and the historic downtown area.
The city of Girard is located in the southwestern corner of Crawford County and has a population of around 1,700 people. This small town has an active community with plenty to do including local shops, restaurants, parks, and more.
Bourbon is another small town situated in the northwest corner of Crawford County with a population of about 800 people. Bourbon is known for its charming downtown area that features several unique shops and restaurants as well as a variety of outdoor activities like fishing and camping at nearby Lake Scott State Park.
The city of McCune lies along the eastern border of Crawford County with a population just over 500 people. McCune offers visitors plenty to do including local parks such as McCune City Park and Shady Grove Park as well as nearby attractions like Lake Parsons State Park and Kansas State University’s College Football Hall of Fame Museum.
The town of Frontenac sits on the northern edge of Crawford County with a population just under 500 people. Frontenac offers visitors plenty to explore such as its historic downtown area which features several unique shops and restaurants along with outdoor activities like swimming at nearby Joplin Lake or hiking at Frontenac State Park.
Finally, there’s Hepler which lies in the southeastern corner of Crawford County with a population of around 400 people. Hepler offers visitors plenty to do including local shops, restaurants, parks such as Hepler City Park or nearby attractions like Big Brutus Mining Museum or Prairie Dog State Park.
Crawford County has something for everyone from its lively cities to quaint towns making this an ideal place for families looking for new opportunities or businesses looking to expand their operations.
Airports in Crawford County, Kansas
Crawford County, Kansas is home to several airports that serve the local community and provide a gateway to the rest of the world. See Kansas airports. With its convenient location in the heart of the Midwest, Crawford County is well-connected with major cities across the United States and beyond.
The largest airport in Crawford County is Pittsburg Municipal Airport (PPT). Located just south of Pittsburg, it serves as a hub for regional air travel and offers flights to and from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Denver International Airport (DEN), and other destinations across the country. The airport also provides charter services as well as car rentals, catering services, fueling services, aircraft maintenance, aircraft storage, etc.