General Info
Once home to Indian tribes, Traverse County was established in 1862 and its name was derived from Lake Traverse. Settlers were attracted to the lush prairie and access to water and Browns Valley was selected as the county seat in 1878 until it was moved by voters in 1886 to Wheaton where it remains. By 1900 its population had reached 7,573 and had grown to 8,053 by 1950. As industry began to slow, its population had begun to decline and is now the least populated county in Minnesota. Today Traverse County is home to approximately 3,573 residents.
