49-578: The Brisbois House , also known as the Bernard Brisbois House , is a historic house located on St. Feriole Island in Prairie du Chien , Wisconsin . Built circa 1840, the stone house is one of the oldest in Wisconsin . It was once thought to be built in 1808 by early settler and fur trader Michael Brisbois , but in the early 1920s, historians learned that it was built by his son after his death. The house
98-487: A Federal influence. A front porch, a later addition, covers the entrance with a pediment supported by columns, which match the doorway. A gable roof with chimneys at either end tops the house. A wooden addition was placed on the south side of the house in 1905, replacing a platform which wrapped around that side. The Brisbois House was traditionally thought to have been built in 1808 by Michael(Michel) Brisbois, an early settler and fur trader of Prairie du Chien and one of
147-482: A National Historic Landmark in 1960. Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin Prairie du Chien ( / ˌ p r ɛər i d u ˈ ʃ iː n / PRAIR -ee doo SHEEN ) is a city in and the county seat of Crawford County, Wisconsin , United States. The population was 5,506 at the 2020 census. Often called Wisconsin's second-oldest city, Prairie du Chien was established as a European settlement by French voyageurs in
196-464: A female householder with no spouse present, and 24.6% had a male householder with no spouse present. 35.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.88. 19.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 13% from 25 to 44, 35.5% from 45 to 64, and 25.8% were 65 years of age or older. The median age
245-410: A luxurious Victorian mansion at the site of the former Fort Shelby. When he died unexpectedly in 1886, his family renamed the home " Villa Louis " in his memory. The Dousman family continued to occupy the home until 1913. In 1952, the mansion became Wisconsin's first state-operated historic site. After the fur trade declined in the mid-19th century, Prairie du Chien's attention shifted to agriculture and
294-513: A private K-8 school associated with St. Gabriel's and St. John's Catholic Churches, and Prairie Christian Academy, a private K-12 school associated with Bible Baptist Church, are also in Prairie du Chien. Prairie du Chien's twice weekly newspaper is the Courier Press , which also publishes a weekly shopping supplement distributed to area households and businesses. Other print media in the area include
343-498: Is a National Historic Landmark and is now owned by the Wisconsin Historical Society . The Brisbois House is two-and-a-half stories tall and built from locally extracted gray limestone . The front facade has five bays , with a central entrance and two pairs of windows on either side. Fluted Doric columns flank the front entrance, and molded trim forms the rest of the doorway; the lightness of these features reflects
392-617: Is a small unincorporated settlement known locally as Frenchtown. The plain also extends outside the city southward into Bridgeport. Here the plain ends, becoming the wetlands of the Wisconsin River delta. Both inside and outside the city limits, backwaters of the Mississippi River occasionally break across the far west side of the plain to form small islands. Most of these islands are too small and flood-prone to have ever been inhabited, but one just west of downtown Prairie du Chien formed
441-423: Is home to WQPC , a 36,000-watt radio station broadcasting at 94.3FM. The station is near the banks of the Mississippi River on St. Feriole Island. It has a sister station, WPRE 980 AM. Other stations with strong reception in Prairie du Chien include WHHI 91.3FM, WGLR 97.7FM and KCTN 100.1FM. Bus service to La Crosse is provided three times daily by Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit . Prairie du Chien
490-551: Is served by the Prairie du Chien Municipal Airport (KPDC). Prairie du Chien (town), Wisconsin Prairie du Chien is a town in Crawford County, Wisconsin , United States. The population was 957 at the 2020 census . The City of Prairie du Chien is located partially within the town. The unincorporated community of White Corners is also located in the town. According to the United States Census Bureau ,
539-605: The American Fur Company became established in the area and later built the Astor Fur Warehouse , an important building in the regional fur trade, which was centered in Prairie du Chien. Prairie du Chien's significance as a center of the fur trade did not diminish until the mid-19th century, when European demand declined, as did game stock. In 1763, after Great Britain defeated France in the French and Indian War (part of
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#1732851014383588-713: The Fox-Wisconsin Waterway that connects the Great Lakes with the Mississippi. This location offered early French missionaries and explorers their first access and entrance to the Mississippi River. Early French visitors to the site found it occupied by a group of Fox Indians led by a chief whose name Alim meant chien in French ('dog' in English ). The French explorers named the location Prairie du Chien , French for 'dog's meadow'. Originally this name applied only to
637-828: The Seven Years' War ), it took possession of the French territory in North America east of the Mississippi River, including Prairie du Chien. During the American Revolutionary War , the city was used as a meeting point for British troops and their Native American allies. After the American victory, the Treaty of Paris granted the area to the new United States of America , but the British and their Loyalists were slow to withdraw. Only after
686-453: The United States Census Bureau , the city has an area of 6.47 square miles (16.76 km ), of which 5.84 square miles (15.13 km ) is land and 0.63 square miles (1.63 km ) is water. The city's area encompasses most of the plain upon which it sits, but portions of the plain extend outside city limits. Just north of the city limits, where the plain forms part of the Town of Prairie du Chien,
735-560: The War of 1812 did the city become fully American. The U.S. was slow to present any authority over Prairie du Chien, but late in the War of 1812, when the government realized the importance of holding the site to prevent British attacks from Canada, it began construction of Fort Shelby in 1814. In July, British soldiers captured the fort during the Siege of Prairie du Chien . The British maintained control over
784-650: The Wisconsin-Iowa Shopping News , which is distributed to 19,297 homes and businesses weekly. Crawford County is in the La Crosse/ Eau Claire broadcast media market as monitored by ACNielsen . The local cable system also carries some channels from the Madison market, and some residents receive over-the-air broadcasts from stations in the Cedar Rapids / Waterloo / Dubuque market. Prairie du Chien
833-549: The census of 2020 , the population was 5,506. The population density was 942.3 inhabitants per square mile (363.8/km ). There were 2,598 housing units at an average density of 444.6 per square mile (171.7/km ). Ethnically, the population was 2.5% Hispanic or Latino of any race. When grouping both Hispanic and non-Hispanic people together by race, the city was 90.1% White , 4.3% Black or African American , 0.7% Native American , 0.5% Asian , 0.6% from other races , and 3.8% from two or more races. The 2020 census population of
882-530: The 12th U.S. president , was the commanding officer at Fort Crawford during the Black Hawk War of 1832. Taylor oversaw the surrender of Black Hawk in Prairie du Chien. Lieutenant Jefferson Davis , who later became president of the Confederate States of America , was stationed at Fort Crawford at the same time. There, Davis met Taylor's daughter, Sarah "Knoxie" Taylor , whom he married in 1835. Outside
931-490: The 1829 negotiations was Billy Caldwell , of Scots-Irish and Mohawk descent. He became involved with the Pottawatomie after moving as a young man to the U.S. from Canada. In 1829, the army doctor William Beaumont carried out many experiments on digestion in the hospital at Fort Crawford. Beaumont's discoveries are still the basis of current knowledge of the human digestive process. Colonel Zachary Taylor , who later became
980-495: The Mississippi River continued to pass through Prairie du Chien, although routes via the Illinois River were also used. In 1685, the French explorer Nicolas Perrot established a trading post in the area as part of the large and lucrative French fur trade industry. After John Jacob Astor 's machinations had closed the entire government fur trade factory system and the federal factory established in Prairie du Chien in 1815,
1029-577: The Villa Louis is a large open field that was once used as a horse racing track. On the far end of the field are two large soccer fields. Pets are allowed to run in the large fields. The Prairie du Chien Area School District is a public school district headquartered in Prairie du Chien. It serves Prairie du Chien and the village of Eastman . The district comprises three schools, all in Prairie du Chien: The district's administrative offices are at B. A. Kennedy Elementary School. Prairie Catholic School,
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#17328510143831078-420: The age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.0% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.92. In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.2% under
1127-462: The age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.3 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 34,038, and the median income for a family was $ 43,444. Males had a median income of $ 29,595 versus $ 20,183 for females. The per capita income for
1176-487: The area. The opening of Cabela's fourth outlet store in the city in 1998 firmly established the city as a destination for sportsmen. The annual seven-day, 500-mile supported bike tour of Wisconsin known as GRABAAWR begins in Eagle River and ends in Prairie du Chien. St. Feriole Island has a long riverfront with a park, connected to a bike path that goes around the island. Shelters can be used for large events. Across from
1225-491: The city every Father's Day weekend since 1975, attracting tens of thousands of visitors. In 2001, Prairie du Chien gained brief national attention for its first annual New Year's Eve celebration, during which a carp from the Mississippi River was dropped from a crane over BlackHawk Avenue at midnight. The "Droppin' of the Carp" celebration has been held every New Year's Eve since. Hunting and fishing have long been popular in
1274-414: The city included 514 people incarcerated in adult correctional facilities. According to American Community Survey estimates for 2016-2020, the median income for a household in the city was $ 46,541, and the median income for a family was $ 64,315. Male full-time workers had a median income of $ 42,478 versus $ 35,313 for female workers. The per capita income was $ 25,407. About 10.5% of families and 16.2% of
1323-549: The city is the site of the Crawford County courthouse and offices, as well as a state penitentiary. Prairie du Chien has one of Wisconsin's busiest ports on the Mississippi River. Two railroads and a two-runway municipal airport make the city a transport and shipping hub for the area. Prairie du Chien has five National Historic Landmarks and nine sites on the National Register of Historic Places . The five landmarks were
1372-675: The city until the war's end in 1815. Not wanting another invasion through Prairie du Chien, the Americans constructed Fort Crawford in 1816. The fort was the site of the negotiations and signing of the Treaties of Prairie du Chien ( 1825 and 1830 ), by which the Fox and Sauk ceded much of their land to the U.S. Representing them along with the United Nations of the Chippewa , Odawa and Pottawatomie in
1421-495: The city was $ 17,680. About 6.4% of families and 8.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.7% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over. Aside from its somewhat larger-than-average tourist trade, Prairie du Chien's economy is similar to most other Midwestern cities of its size. Retail, service, and manufacturing jobs employ most of the city's residents. Major employers include 3M and Cabela's . State and local government are also major employers, as
1470-535: The city was 54.4% male and 45.6% female. As of the census of 2010 , there were 5,911 people, 2,386 households, and 1,367 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,049.9 inhabitants per square mile (405.4/km ). There were 2,594 housing units at an average density of 460.7 per square mile (177.9/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 93.6% White, 4.5% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.2% of
1519-508: The city's first prominent businessmen. Brisbois owned the plot of land the house is built on. In the 1950s the Wisconsin Historical Society determined that the house was built after Bisbois's death in 1833. According to the investigation, Michael's son Bernard Walter Brisbois most likely built the house for himself and his widowed mother circa 1840. While a building of the house's style and permanence would have been uncommon in
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1568-418: The city's fourth ward until a 1965 flood prompted its residents' mandatory relocation to higher ground. During the relocation project, most buildings with no special historical significance were removed. Now called St. Feriole Island, the island serves as a 240-acre (1.0 km ) city park. Prairie du Chien has recorded Wisconsin's highest temperatures for January, March, May, September, and November. As of
1617-510: The city. The population density was 1,075.9 people per square mile (415.7/km ). There were 2,564 housing units at an average density of 458.4 per square mile (177.1/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 95.06% White, 3.61% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander , 0.08% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. 0.88% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 2,376 households, out of which 29.3% had children under
1666-502: The early 1800s, it fits the 1840s pattern of more elaborate homes being built for wealthy Prairie du Chien residents. It is one of the most well-crafted extant homes in the city which dates from before 1850, and it is one of the oldest standing stone houses in Wisconsin. The house was documented by the Historic American Buildings Survey in 1934, purchased by the Wisconsin Historical Society circa 1955, and designated as
1715-477: The first designated in the state. It is close to Wyalusing State Park in Wisconsin, and Effigy Mounds National Monument and Pikes Peak State Park in Iowa , sites of natural and manmade wonders. Its rich history and location by the Mississippi River make it a popular tourist destination. The Prairie Villa Rendezvous , a gathering to recreate the atmosphere of a 19th-century fur trading camp, has been held annually in
1764-558: The fort's walls, early-19th-century life in Prairie du Chien was still dominated by the fur trade. Prairie du Chien's best-known traders during this time were Michel Brisbois , Joseph Rolette , Nathan Myrick , and Hercules L. Dousman . Dousman built a fortune in the fur trade, which, combined with income from investments in land, steamboats, and railroads, propelled him to become Wisconsin's first millionaire . He died in 1868, and his son, H. Louis Dousman , inherited much of his fortune. In 1870, Louis Dousman used his inheritance to construct
1813-537: The late 17th century. Its settlement date of June 17, 1673, makes it the fourth colonial settlement by European settlers in the Midwestern United States , after Green Bay, Wisconsin , Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan , and St. Ignace, Michigan . The city has many sites showing its rich history in the region. Prairie du Chien is near the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers, a strategic point along
1862-525: The later part of the century. St. Mary's College remained in Prairie du Chien until 1928. Campion High School produced several notable alumni, including Vicente Fox , Congressman Leo Ryan , Governor Patrick Lucey , actors David Doyle , George Wendt , and Kevin McCarthy , and writer Garry Wills . It closed in 1975. Prairie du Chien was incorporated as the Borough of Prairie des Chiens on September 17, 1821, by
1911-412: The permanent Pile-Pontoon Railroad Bridge to span the river in 1874. Lawler took most of the credit for this invention, and made a small fortune through its operation. The bridge remained in use until its removal in 1961. Lawler later donated property to establish two Catholic boarding schools in Prairie du Chien, St. Mary's Institute (now Mount Mary College of Milwaukee ) and Campion High School in
1960-487: The plain upon which the settlement lay, but it was later applied to the city as well. The city of Prairie du Chien is between the town of Prairie du Chien and the town of Bridgeport . The first known Europeans to reach Prairie du Chien were French explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet , who arrived by canoe on June 17, 1673, discovering a route to the Mississippi River . Later travel between Canada and
2009-484: The population were below the poverty line , including 30.7% of those under age 18 and 14.6% of those age 65 or over. There were 2,306 households, of which 18% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.1% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 47.3% were non-families. 38.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.3% had someone living alone who
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2058-440: The population. There were 2,386 households, of which 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.7% were non-families. 37.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
2107-503: The railroad. Although the city was first connected to the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad in 1857, the width of the Mississippi River posed a challenge for further expansion of the railroad into Iowa. This problem was temporarily solved by disassembling the trains at Prairie du Chien and ferrying them across the river to be put back on the tracks on the other side. A better solution was found by Michael Spettel and John Lawler, who designed
2156-485: The secretary of the Michigan Territory . It is the only municipality in Wisconsin other than Green Bay to have been known as a borough, rather than a city, town, or village. The borough existed for a few years before the government stopped operating in 1825. In 1828, the Prairie du Chien area became a part of the Town of St. Anthony, which included all of Crawford County . (Crawford County itself included all of
2205-495: The town has a total area of 36.3 square miles (94 km ), of which 33.6 square miles (87 km ) is land and 2.8 square miles (7.3 km ) is water. The total area is 7.62% water. At the 2020 census , there were 957 people, 382 households and 245 families residing in the town. The population density was 28.5 people per square mile (11.0 people/km ). There were 781 housing units at an average density of 23.2 units per square mile (9.0 units/km ). The racial make-up of
2254-403: The town was 97.01% White , 0.1% Black or African American , 0.0% Native American , 0.52% Asian , 0.00% Pacific Islander , 0.21% from other races and 4.18% from two or more races. 1.57% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 382 households, of which 18.06% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 17% had
2303-560: The western part of Michigan Territory.) In 1849, the Town of Prairie du Chien was created, consisting of most of present-day Crawford County. The city of Prairie du Chien was incorporated in 1872. Prairie du Chien is in the Mississippi River Valley, upon a long triangular plain bounded on the west by the Mississippi River , on the south by the Wisconsin River , and on the east-northeast by a series of tall bluffs. According to
2352-436: Was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.86. The median age in the city was 41.4 years. 21.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.9% were from 25 to 44; 27.3% were from 45 to 64; and 18.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 52.4% male and 47.6% female. As of the census of 2000 , there were 6,018 people, 2,376 households, and 1,473 families residing in
2401-473: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.87. Of the population age 25 and over, 92.0% were high school graduates or higher and 15.8% had a bachelor's degree or higher. The median age in the city was 45.6 years. 16.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.07% were from 25 to 44; 28.2% were from 45 to 64; and 22.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of
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