Many horses and mules were shipped overseas to Italy, Burma and other locations. During World War II, it expanded to train dogs for wartime duty. Fort Robinson was also one of 20 prisoner of war camps located in Nebraska. The prisoners worked on farms in the area, taking the places of the young men who had gone to the service. Deactivated in 1948, Fort Robinson is now a state park, with many buildings restored as a part of the State Historical Society's out-state museum system.
Tourism plays a sizable part of the local economy.
Crawford residents strongly support their excellent hospital, nursing home, and remodeled senior center. Active civic organizations and businesses serve tourists, hunters, and area citizens in this unique community in Nebraska's Panhandle. The town is still growing with a present population of about 1,300.