PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, WISCONSIN

Prairie du Chien, is located at the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers. In the 1670’s Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet, a young French-Canadian fur trader, came down waterways from Canada on a voyage of exploration. Five voyageurs paddled them through the Great Lakes, portaged across the height of land between the Fox River (draining into Lake Michigan) and the Wisconsin River – (draining into the Mississippi). Later, at this important junction, the French traders and Indian trappers set up a trading post -- Prairie du Chien. The name reflects its French origin – now Americanized to “Prayer du Sheen.” Beginning as a rendezvous destination for Indians and a few French traders, the town was later settled by new American pioneers, who came to dominate the fur trade.

Thanks to the support of Parker Pen heirs, Villa Louis stands in Prairie du Chien as a fully restored Victorian mansion complete with its original furnishings. We must also thank George Eastman -- as the historic restoration was based on a trove of recently found photographs of the home and family. In the 1820’s John Jacob Astor hired Hercules Dousman, an American citizen to help establish the preeminence of the American Fur Company as it competed against the English Hudson’s Bay Fur Trading Company. With the money made as Astor’s agent, Hercules made his own fortune investing in land, railroads, and anything and everything the pioneers might need to survive and prosper. With hard work, good luck, and prudent management of resources, he rose to the top and realized the American dream. In the late 19th century his family built Villa Louis on historic Saint Feriole Island in the Mississippi River.