Historic Prairie du Chien Riverfront Walking Tour

Name: Historic Prairie du Chien Riverfront Walking Tour
Start: 2025-10-10T10:30:00-05:00
End: 2025-10-10T12:00:00-05:00
Location: 521 N Villa Louis Rd, Prairie du Chien, WI, United States, Wisconsin 53821

Schedule

Fri Oct 10 2025 at 10:30 am to 12:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

521 N Villa Louis Rd, Prairie du Chien, WI, United States, Wisconsin 53821 | Prairie Du Chien, WI

Discover the countless cultures of early Prairie du Chien residents on this engaging trip back through time.
While the Prairie du Chien of today is long removed from its 19th century roots, mementos and artifacts lie like clues for budding historians and curious visitors alike. From historic buildings and landmarks to the captivating stories of those who helped shape the city, there's no shortage of history to uncover and tales to discover. Learn about the ancestral Ho-Chunk Nation land that the city was founded on, see the homes of fur traders Michel Brisbois and Joseph Rolette, visit the site of Wisconsin's only War of 1812 battlefield to discover the story of conflict between British and American forces that transpired here in 1814, and uncover the history of Fort Crawford, which housed enslaved men and women who were brought to the encampment by 1800s military officers.
This is a guided walking tour on the grounds of Villa Historic Site. The tour takes guests into buildings not seen on our regular tour. Guests are encouraged to wear appropriate footwear.

Cost
$25 per person (children under 5 are free)
Advanced registration required.
Society Members receive a 10% discount, please verify your membership where prompted to receive discount at checkout.
Book Tickets: https://wihist.org/4o05iux

About the Location
Villa Louis served as a comfortable and stylish country estate for three generations of the Dousman family—a family that built its fortune from early American frontier opportunities such as land and transportation investments. Hercules L. Dousman began development of the site during the 1840s on the banks of the Mississippi River in Prairie du Chien. The property has since expanded into a 25-acre complex complete with historic structures and archaeological remains that reference the early history of the site. Upon the death of Hercules in 1868, widow Jane Dousman and son H. Louis Dousman contracted Milwaukee architect E. Townsend Mix to build the stately mansion that now rests at the heart of the property. In addition to the new residence, H. Louis expanded the site to include a farm for breeding and racing horses. After Louis’ death, Nina Dousman raised their children at Villa Louis, and the property remained under family ownership until it was given to the City of Prairie du Chien in 1935. In 1950, Villa Louis became property of the Wisconsin Historical Society, and opened to the public in 1952.
Prior to Dousman ownership, Indigenous natives lived on the Villa Louis grounds over 2000 years ago. For centuries, Native Nations of the upper Mississippi gathered upon the island to trade among themselves until the fur trade brought French-speaking traders in contact with Indigenous tribesmen and women. The trade also attracted free Black settlers to Prairie du Chien. Additionally, officers and agents of the United States brought enslaved men and women to the prairie, some of whom lived at Fort Crawford and other structures that once stood on land that is now part of Villa Louis State Historic Site. Research and restorations continue to fully expand the story of these early residents and events.

Villa Louis Historic Site
(PO Box 65)
521 Villa Louis Road
Prairie du Chien, WI 53821-0065

Know Before You Go & Accessibility
Please check-in at the Villa Louis Visitor Center. The tour lasts 90 minutes over uneven ground. Please wear good walking shoes and dress for the weather.
The museum store is open daily during business hours.
Guests may exit and return throughout the day to explore the grounds.
Water is the only outside food/beverage allowed. Beverages are available for purchase.
Restrooms and water fountains are available on site.
The site will remain open rain or shine.
Guests are encouraged to wear good walking shoes and to dress for the weather.
No pets are allowed. Service animals are permitted.
ADA access is available in the first floor of the mansion, restrooms, and the fur trade building.
Because of the historic nature of the buildings, not all areas are ADA accessible.

Contact
For more information, please contact the box office at 608-264-4848 or [email protected].