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Crow Wing County was named for the Crow Wing River, a somewhat erroneous translation of the original Ojibwe word, Kagiwigwan which means Raven or Raven's Feather. According to the native inhabitance, the bend of the river as it emptied into the nearby Mississippi resembled that of a raven's wing.

The first European settlers entered the region during the Christmas season of 1805. Lt. Zebulon Montgomery Pike (later of Pike's Peak fame) was leading a contingent of U.S soldiers through the area in search of the source of the Mississippi River. They camped there for one night and saw the fertile soil and ample hunting that the natives enjoy and it wasn't too long before others began to take notice.

Allan and William Morrison founded the first white settlement at Crow Wing Village, located eight miles south of modern day Brainerd. Bolstered by a healthy fur trade with the local Indians, it mainly functioned as a stopping-off place on route from St. Anthony to Red River, with trader's stores and warehouses, saloons, and blacksmith shops. When the fur trade began to wane in 1848, logging took over as the regions primary industry. However, this new boom didn't last long when the North Pacific railroad built a bridge over the Mississippi at nearby Brainerd making it more accessible to the trading community. Soon the village of Crow Wing was abandoned in favor the rapidly growing Brainerd.  

Brainerd was founded in 1870 as The Crossing, a name applied to its first building, a log store and trading post built when the Northern Pacific survey determined that the crossing of the Mississippi would be there. John Gregory Smith, the president of Northern Pacific, didn't want the town to be named Smithville or Smithton, so he chose to call the town, Brainerd, his wife's maiden name.

The railroads presence soon allowed numerous other industries to flourish including lumber, paper companies, flowering mills, and agricultural tools just to name a few. Brainerd even had a burgeoning tourist trade in the early days. The area was known for its purity of air, sandy soil, and fishing and boating. And today it is no different.

Brainerd is now the county seat and the largest community in the Brainerd Lakes area with a population of over 13,000 year round residents. This idyllic lake community is surrounded by over 450 sand bottom lakes including the popular Gull Lake Chain and Whitefish Chains. Anglers from all over the state prize these waters for their crystal clarity and wide variety of fish found there. The clear waters also provide an ideal setting for boaters and swimmers during the summer months.

Golfers are in for a treat because this is the home of the legendary Brainerd Golf Trail. Golf Digest ranked it as one of the "Top 50 Golf Destinations in the World," and it is easy to see why. With over 520 holes and courses designed by such greats as Arnold Palmer and Robert Trent Jones, this trail is sure to present a unique challenge to golfers everywhere.

Not a golfer? Not to worry, this city is bursting with opportunities for excitement, beauty, and enrichment for both body and mind.

Got a need for speed? Visit the region's largest racetrack Brainerd's International Raceway featuring a world-class quarter mile drag strip and a three-mile championship road course.

Nature lovers will enjoy the abundance of trails open for exploration. Whether you want to hike, mountain bike, rollerblade, or snowmobile, these trails are perfect for enjoying the region's wild beauty in a very personal way. The famous Paul Bunyan Trail begins at Brainerd winding a 100 mile path north through forests, lakes, and streams all the way up to Bemidji. All but the last couple of miles are paved where it leads into the majestic forests of Bemidji State Park.

Nature comes alive for both the young and old at the Paul Bunyan Nature Learning Center. 94 acres of Minnesota's second growth forest is available for exploration via their walking trails. Explore them yourself, or accompany one of their naturalists on a guided hike.

Pillsbury State Forest is the state's oldest park. It has been in operation for over 100 years, allowing both residents and visitors alike to hike its great trails and experience a wide variety of Minnesota wildlife in their natural habitat.

Brainerd offers plenty for those craving the arts. Numerous art galleries and theatres showcase the talents of local artists year round. The summer months feature the"Rhythm of the Rails" a musical revue that traces the history of the Brainerd Lakes region through railroad lore and music.