Barron County, Wisconsin is located in the northwestern part of the state, just south of the Minnesota/Wisconsin border. The county is bordered by Burnett, Washburn and Polk counties to the north and east, Dunn County to the south and Chippewa County to the west. Barron County covers an area of 766 square miles and is home to over 45,000 people.
The terrain of Barron County is mostly rolling hills with some flat areas near rivers and streams. The highest point in the county is Crooked Lake Hill at 1,430 feet above sea level while the lowest point is along a tributary of the Red Cedar River at 890 feet above sea level.
The majority of Barron County consists of hardwood forests including maple, basswood and aspen trees. There are also many wetlands throughout the county which provide habitat for wildlife such as deer, bear, beaver and waterfowl.
The main rivers running through Barron County are the Red Cedar River and its tributaries which flow through much of the county before emptying into Lake Pepin on the Wisconsin/Minnesota border. Other major bodies of water include Turtle Lake near Cumberland; Beaver Dam Lake near Rice Lake; Yellow River near Chetek; Sand Creek near Dallas; Trout Run Creek near Almena; Clear Creek near Haugen; Apple River near Prairie Farm; and St Croix River along Barron’s western border with Chippewa County.
Barron County also has several parks including Wildcat Mountain State Park which offers camping facilities as well as hiking trails along bluffs with stunning views overlooking lakes and forests below. There are also numerous snowmobile trails throughout Barron for winter enthusiasts that crisscross through wooded areas filled with wildlife such as deer, bear, wolves and more.
Overall, Barron County offers something for everyone from outdoor enthusiasts to those looking for a slower pace in its small towns filled with friendly people and interesting local attractions such as historical sites or unique shops selling locally made items like maple syrup or antiques from days gone by.
Country Seat and Other Main Cities of Barron County, Wisconsin
The county seat of Barron County is the city of Barron, Wisconsin. The city, located in the western part of the county, is home to more than 3,300 people and is known for its small-town charm. The town was founded in 1855 and named after Henry D. Barron, a local politician who served in both the Wisconsin State Senate and Assembly. The city has many historic buildings including a courthouse built in 1888 that still stands today as a reminder of its past. See cities in Wisconsin.
Rice Lake is another major city located in Barron County. It is the largest city in the county with over 8,200 residents and serves as a hub for commerce and industry for the area. Rice Lake has been around since 1867 when it was first settled by lumberjacks looking to take advantage of the abundant timber resources found nearby. Today, it serves as an important center for business and tourism with a variety of restaurants, shops, parks and other attractions to explore.
Chetek is another notable city located in Barron County with nearly 1,900 people calling it home. Chetek was first settled by Scandinavian immigrants looking to start new lives in America and today still retains much of its Scandinavian heritage with many local businesses offering traditional dishes such as lefse or Swedish meatballs on their menus. Chetek also has several recreational activities available such as golfing at one of its two courses or skiing at nearby ski hills like Red Cedar Ski Hill or Wild Mountain Ski Area which offer downhill runs for all levels of skiers and snowboarders alike.
Cumberland is another major city located within Barron County with nearly 2,700 people living there today. It was founded by settlers from Vermont who were looking for new opportunities after their farms back home had become too small to support them all anymore. The town’s main industry today revolves around agriculture but there are also several other businesses such as restaurants, shops and even an art gallery that draw people from all over to experience what Cumberland has to offer.
Overall, Barron County offers something for everyone whether you’re looking for outdoor recreation or small-town charm you can find it here. From its rolling hills covered with hardwood forests to its picturesque lakeside towns filled with friendly people there’s something here that will make your stay memorable.
History of Barron County, Wisconsin
Barron County is located in the northwest corner of Wisconsin and was established in 1859. It was named after Henry D. Barron, a senator from Wisconsin. The county has a total area of 1,249 square miles and it is home to more than 45,000 people as of 2018.
The first settlers in Barron County arrived in the 1840s and by the 1850s the population had grown to around 8,000 people. Many of these settlers were farmers who took advantage of the fertile soil and abundant natural resources to build successful farms and businesses. During this time period, Barron County also became known for its logging industry with many of its forests being harvested for lumber used to build homes and other structures around the state.
Barron County was also home to several Native American tribes including the Ojibwa, Dakota Sioux, Winnebago, Menominee, Potawatomi and Ho-Chunk. These tribes were displaced from their ancestral lands when white settlers began moving into the area in the mid-1800s.
In 1868 Barron County’s first courthouse was built in Rice Lake which remains its county seat today. Since then it has seen significant growth with more businesses being established throughout the county as well as new schools being built for local students. In addition to Rice Lake there are several other cities within Barron County including Cumberland, Chetek and Bruce which serve as important economic centers for their respective areas.
Today Barron County is a thriving community with an economy based largely on agriculture but also featuring a variety of other industries such as manufacturing, healthcare and tourism that help contribute to its overall prosperity. It is also home to many recreational activities such as fishing, hunting and camping that attract visitors from all over Wisconsin looking to enjoy nature’s beauty at its best.
Economy of Barron County, Wisconsin
Barron County is largely an agricultural economy, with many of its residents employed in the farming industry. The county is home to a variety of crops such as corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and wheat which are grown on local farms and sold on the open market. In addition to agriculture, Barron County also has a strong manufacturing sector which includes companies that produce building materials, automotive parts, food products and more.
The healthcare industry is also an important part of Barron County’s economy with several hospitals and medical centers located throughout the county. These healthcare facilities provide jobs for many local residents as well as quality care for patients from all over the region.
In addition to agriculture and manufacturing, Barron County also has a growing tourism industry. The county is home to several recreational activities such as fishing, hunting and camping that attract visitors from all over Wisconsin looking to enjoy nature’s beauty at its best. There are also a number of historical sites in the area including Old World Wisconsin which offer educational opportunities for tourists to learn about the history of Barron County and its people.
Overall, Barron County’s economy is diverse with multiple industries contributing to its overall prosperity. Its strong agricultural base provides jobs for many local residents while its manufacturing sector provides additional economic opportunities. Healthcare facilities offer quality care while tourism helps bring in additional revenue from outside sources. All these factors combine to create a thriving economy that will continue to benefit Barron County for years to come.