[4] The county is named for Col. William Crawford,[6] a Revolutionary War officer captured by Native Americans near Sandusky, Ohio and burned at the stake in 1792.

[5][1] Due to the location in rural northern Michigan, Crawford County's greatest economic growth occurred in the 1800s when lumbering clear-cut most of the extensive forests of Norway pine, birch, maple, beech and hemlock.

[10] A 1912 text, A History of Northern Michigan and its people by Perry F. Powers & Harry Gordner Cutler describes Crawford County: The topography is rolling hills but not so steep as to impede farm equipment.

The Au Sable River, along with its tributaries, traverse the entire county, providing water and locations for ranching livestock.

“Plains” soil supports native grasses which stockmen are using for profitable sheep and cattle ranches throughout the county.

A few years later, a Winter Carnival was started that included a parade, ice sculpture competition, and a Snow Queen pageant.

The park's popularity increased to the point where a "Snow Train" was established to bring skiers to Grayling from across the state.

[11] The Cass City Chronicle noted in March 1941, "Due to generous support of the federal park service, state conservation department, and Civilian Conservation Corps, Grayling offers today the finest public toboggan set-up in the entire United States, and this isn't paid ballyhoo.

It was renamed, Bear Mountain and they attempted to create a commercial ski area to compete with resorts further north.

"[12] In 1913, lumber baron Rasmus Hanson donated 147,000 acres (590 km2) of harvested timberland to the state of Michigan for military training.

[14] Edward Hartwick graduated from Grayling High School in 1888 and received an appointment to West Point in 1889.

At wars end, he returned to Grayling and married Karen Bessie Michelson, then resigned his commission nine months later.

When the United States entered World War I, he volunteered for service at age 46 and was commissioned an Army Major.

The county contains land within three of Michigan's largest watersheds, belonging to the Au Sable, Manistee, and Muskegon rivers.

Some of these are so-called kettle lakes,' formed by the melting of blocks of glacial ice, left as the glacier retreated, which created a depression in the soil.

A large portion of the area is the so-called Grayling outwash plain, which consists of broad outwash plain including sandy ice-disintegration ridges; jack pine barrens, some white pine-red pine forest, and northern hardwood forest.

The small size of the population won't support any big box stores; Tractor Supply Company moved into the building that Kmart vacated in the late 2010s.

There have been a few small employers added to the industrial park at West Four Mile Road south of Grayling.

Several microbreweries and a new art gallery opened prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and summer tourist spending is rising again.

[29] The Sheriff is also responsible for the Crawford County Dispatch Center which responds to 911 calls as well as non-emergencies 24 hours a day.

Normal duties include: roadside brush control, snow and ice removal, roadside mowing, dust control on gravel roads, patching potholes, pavement markings, road & bridge design, inspection of contracted projects, and traffic studies.

[33] The County Clerk is responsible for maintaining vital records including divorce/marriage, death/birth, notary, DBA registration, application to carry a concealed pistol, DD214.

Unemployment (MESC), Probate Court and driver's license restoration appeals are also filed as well as orders of personal protection.

Change of venue, civil/criminal bond money collection, construction lien certificate releases and issuing vendor permits to veterans are also normal processes.

The treasurer documents the collection of funds to the county which include: property taxes, state and federal grants, interest income, and various service and license fees.

The County Clerk collects money in the course of daily business including fines, fees and bonds, then forwards it to the treasurer.

They have a multitude of responsibilities that include: The position of prosecutor is elected and the current officeholder in Crawford County is Sierra R.

The Michigan Supreme Court approved a Concurrent Jurisdiction Plan, an agreement entered into by all Crawford County elected judges.

The judicial in the county operates as a unified (single) trial court, resulting in an efficient use of resources.

Built in 1977, the United States Army owns it, and a fixed-base operator provides support services to general aviation users.