Buffalo County, Wisconsin is located in the western part of the state and borders Minnesota to the west. The county covers an area of 811 square miles and is home to a population of just over 13,000 people. The county seat is Alma which is located on the banks of the Mississippi River.
The geography of Buffalo County is characterized by rolling hills, ridges, and valleys. The terrain in the northern and western parts of the county is relatively flat with some areas rising up to 500 feet above sea level. To the east there are more hills and ridges that make up a part of what is known as the “Driftless Area” which was formed by glaciers during the last ice age.
The majority of Buffalo County is covered in forests with a mix of hardwoods like oak, maple, birch, and ash as well as conifers such as pine and spruce. These forests provide habitat for a variety of wildlife including white-tailed deer, black bear, beavers, muskrats, coyotes, foxes, and many species of birds.
The geography in Buffalo County also includes several rivers including Chippewa River which flows through Alma before entering into Lake Pepin on its way to Minnesota; Red Cedar River which flows through Cochrane before entering into Lake Pepin; Trempealeau River which also enters into Lake Pepin from Wisconsin; Black Creek which empties into Lake Onalaska; and La Crosse River which forms part of the border between Buffalo County and Minnesota before it empties into Lake Onalaska.
Overall, Buffalo County has a diverse geography that ranges from flat plains in its northern regions to rolling hills in its southeastern parts all surrounded by lush forests that provide habitat for many species of wildlife. Its rivers also act as important sources for recreation activities such as fishing or boating while providing natural beauty along their banks.
Country seat and other main cities of Buffalo County, Wisconsin
The county seat of Buffalo County is Alma, which is located on the banks of the Mississippi River. The city has a population of just over 1,000 people and is known for its historic downtown area with a variety of shops and restaurants. It also has a number of parks and trails that provide scenic views of the river.
According to COUNTRYAAH.COM, another major city in Buffalo County is Cochrane, which lies on the banks of the Red Cedar River. This city has a population of just under 1,000 people and features several historic buildings as well as a variety of shops and restaurants. There are also several parks in Cochrane that offer outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking and fishing.
Fountain City lies along the banks of Black Creek and has a population of around 500 people. This small town is known for its unique architecture with many buildings dating back to the 19th century as well as its picturesque riverfront area.
Mondovi is another major city in Buffalo County with a population just over 2,000 people. It is located along both sides of the Chippewa River and features several parks including Scenic Park which offers views overlooking Lake Pepin on both sides. Mondovi also boasts several historic buildings that date back to when it was first founded in 1851.
Finally, Nelson lies near La Crosse River on the border between Wisconsin and Minnesota with a population just over 1,000 people. This small town boasts several historic buildings such as churches from various denominations as well as an old general store from when it was first established in 1848. Nelson also features several parks along La Crosse River which provide scenic views for visitors to enjoy.
History of Buffalo County, Wisconsin
Buffalo County, Wisconsin was first established in 1853 and is named after the nearby Buffalo River. The county is located in the western part of the state and borders Minnesota, Iowa, and La Crosse County. The county seat is Alma, which was founded in 1853 as well.
The area that would become Buffalo County has a long history of human habitation that dates back to the Paleo-Indian period when it was inhabited by various Native American tribes. These tribes included the Dakota Sioux, Sauk-Fox, Winnebago, Ojibwe and Menominee among others. The French were the first Europeans to explore this region with expeditionary parties coming up from New France in 1673.
In 1836, the Treaty of St. Peters was signed between the United States government and several of these tribes ceding much of their territory to white settlers. This eventually led to an influx of settlers coming into this area during the mid-1800s who began establishing farms and towns throughout Buffalo County.
During this time period several railroads were constructed in order to transport goods from one place to another. This also helped spur economic development in Buffalo County as well as providing a way for people to travel around more easily than ever before.
Today, Buffalo County remains a rural area with many small towns that are home to a variety of businesses such as timber harvesting, agriculture, tourism, recreation activities like fishing or boating on its rivers or lakes, shopping centers and historic sites such as old churches or general stores from when it was first established over 150 years ago.
Economy of Buffalo County, Wisconsin
Buffalo County, Wisconsin is a rural area located in the western part of the state. It is bordered by Minnesota, Iowa and La Crosse County and has a population of around 14,000 people. The county seat is Alma which was founded in 1853.
The economy of Buffalo County is largely based on agriculture, timber harvesting and tourism. Agriculture is the most important sector of the county’s economy with livestock farming being one of its major components. Dairy farming in particular has been an important industry since the early days of settlement in this area. In addition to dairy farming, other crops such as corn, beans, wheat and hay are also grown here.
Timber harvesting has also been an important part of Buffalo County’s economy for centuries as it provides employment for many local residents and helps keep the forests healthy and productive. Additionally, lumber mills located throughout the county process logs into finished products such as furniture or building materials which are then sold to customers throughout the region.
Tourism is another major contributor to Buffalo County’s economy as it provides employment opportunities for local businesses while bringing visitors from around the world to experience its natural beauty and attractions like its parks along La Crosse River which provide scenic views for visitors to enjoy or historic buildings such as churches from various denominations as well as an old general store from when it was first established in 1848.
In addition to these industries, Buffalo County also has several small businesses located throughout its towns that contribute to its overall economic health such as retail stores, restaurants and other service-oriented businesses.