War of 1812 Battlefield Walking Tour
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𝙀𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙒𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙣’𝙨 𝙂𝙧𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘽𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞
While most of the War of 1812 played out along the Eastern Seaboard and the Great Lakes, the struggle for control of the American frontier extended as far as the Upper Mississippi Valley—and Prairie du Chien sat right at the crossroads. The small but strategic outpost commanded key fur trade routes, making it a prize neither side could ignore. In 1814, American forces built Fort Shelby to stake their claim, only to see British and allied forces lay siege to it weeks later in what became Wisconsin's only War of 1812 battle.
Travel to Villa Louis and walk the grounds of Wisconsin’s lone War of 1812 battlefield as you uncover the underlying factors that brought conflict to Prairie du Chien. Witness a cannon demonstration that captures the intensity of the fight for Fort Shelby, hear gripping stories from knowledgeable historians and learn how the aftermath impacted the city, Wisconsin and the war.
The War of 1812 Battlefield Tour is part of the 250 Years of History at Southwest Sites Series.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝗹𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲
A guided tour of the grounds of Wisconsin's only War of 1812 battlefield at Villa Louis in Prairie du Chien
Learn what drew American and British forces into conflict over this remote Mississippi River outpost
A live cannon demonstration bringing the battle for Fort Shelby to life
Learn more about early Wisconsin history through a hands-on archaeology station
𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁
Adult (18–64): $15
Teen (13–17): $15
Senior (65+): $15
Child (5–12): $10
Children under 5: Free
Society members receive a 10% discount, please verify your membership where prompted to receive discount at check out.
Advanced registration is required
Book Tickets: https://wihist.org/4sDmmaU
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
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.
Service animals are welcome. For the safety of all guests and animals on site, pets are not allowed.
ADA access is available on 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.
Guests with additional mobility needs are encouraged to contact the site directly at 608-326-2721 or [email protected].
𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀?
For more information, please contact the box office at 608-264-4848 or [email protected].
While most of the War of 1812 played out along the Eastern Seaboard and the Great Lakes, the struggle for control of the American frontier extended as far as the Upper Mississippi Valley—and Prairie du Chien sat right at the crossroads. The small but strategic outpost commanded key fur trade routes, making it a prize neither side could ignore. In 1814, American forces built Fort Shelby to stake their claim, only to see British and allied forces lay siege to it weeks later in what became Wisconsin's only War of 1812 battle.
Travel to Villa Louis and walk the grounds of Wisconsin’s lone War of 1812 battlefield as you uncover the underlying factors that brought conflict to Prairie du Chien. Witness a cannon demonstration that captures the intensity of the fight for Fort Shelby, hear gripping stories from knowledgeable historians and learn how the aftermath impacted the city, Wisconsin and the war.
The War of 1812 Battlefield Tour is part of the 250 Years of History at Southwest Sites Series.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝗹𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲
A guided tour of the grounds of Wisconsin's only War of 1812 battlefield at Villa Louis in Prairie du Chien
Learn what drew American and British forces into conflict over this remote Mississippi River outpost
A live cannon demonstration bringing the battle for Fort Shelby to life
Learn more about early Wisconsin history through a hands-on archaeology station
𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁
Adult (18–64): $15
Teen (13–17): $15
Senior (65+): $15
Child (5–12): $10
Children under 5: Free
Society members receive a 10% discount, please verify your membership where prompted to receive discount at check out.
Advanced registration is required
Book Tickets: https://wihist.org/4sDmmaU
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
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.
Service animals are welcome. For the safety of all guests and animals on site, pets are not allowed.
ADA access is available on 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.
Guests with additional mobility needs are encouraged to contact the site directly at 608-326-2721 or [email protected].
𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀?
For more information, please contact the box office at 608-264-4848 or [email protected].
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Where is it happening?
521 N Villa Louis Rd, Prairie du Chien, WI, United States, Wisconsin 53821
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherVilla Louis Historic Site
