Crawford County, in the east-central part of the state, is bordered on the north by Gasconade and Franklin counties, on the east by Washington County, on the south by Dent and on the west by Phelps County. It has a land area of 476,000 acres.

No one knows for certain who the first settlers were to claim the area now known as Crawford County their home. The county was organized by a Legislative act on January 23, 1829, out of territory that had previously been attached to Gasconade County. It was named for Georgia Sen. William H. Crawford.

The cities in this 744-square-mile county are Bourbon, Cuba, Leasburg, Saint Cloud, Steelville and Sullivan. A three-person commission governs the 23,000 residents of Crawford County. Top employers include Paramount Headwear Inc. (Bourbon); Olin Corporation and Versa Tags (Cuba); San Val, Inc. (Steelville); Meramec Industries, Inc. and Aerofil Technology Inc. (Sullivan); Crawford County Government; Crawford County Schools; and Missouri Baptist Hospital.

The county’s most popular attractions aren’t manmade, but the creation of nature itself: Indian Hills Lake; Meramec River; Huzzah River, Courtois River, Mark Twain National Forest, Meramec County Music Show, Antique & Craft Shops, Onondaga State Park, W.K. Woods Wildlife Area and the Huzzah Wildlife Area.

The majestic, 6,896-acre Meramec State Park offers year-round access to camping, picnicking and trails. Visitors can take guided tours Fisher Cave, one of more than 40 caves in the park. Additional facilities include a park store that offers raft and canoe rentals, campsites (including three group sites), rental cabins, motel rooms and a conference center.

Crawford County also boasts several bed-and-breakfast inns. The popular Wildflower Inn B&B in Bourbon sits on 42 acres in the foothills of the Ozarks, surrounded by natural springs and abundant wildlife.