Eau Claire Travel Guide

Eau Claire is a city located in west-central Wisconsin. The population was 61,704 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Eau Claire CountyGR6. Eau Claire is the principal city of and included in the Eau Claire, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Eau-Claire-Menomonie, Wisconsin Combined Statistical Area. America's Promise named the city as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People in 2007.

"Eau Claire" is the singularized form of the original French name, "Eaux Claires", meaning "Clear Waters", for the Eau Claire River. According to local legend, the river was so named because early French explorers journeying down the rain-muddied Chippewa River, happened upon the Eau Claire River, excitedly exclaiming "Voici l'eau claire!" ("Here [is] clear water!")

Because of the difficulty non-residents have in correctly pronouncing the name of the city (it is properly pronounced as "O'Clare"; "You Clare" is a common mistake), it has been suggested by some residents that the city should be renamed "Clearwater". This recommendation has never been serious enough to make it to referendum, although a number of businesses and organizations have taken the name. (Prior to 1856, Eau Claire County was Chippewa County's "Town of Clearwater". The name "Eau Claire" was taken when the county was separated from Chippewa County.)