Prairie du Chien in Crawford County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Villa Louis

Photographed by Keith L, October 7, 2009

1. Villa Louis Marker [south side]

Inscription. This hilltop mansion commands a sweeping view of a landscape steeped in history. Descendants of pioneer fur trader Hercules Dousman built the house in 1870 atop a mound overlooking the Mississippi River, which drew European explores to this spot in the 17th century. By the beginning of the Revolutionary War, fur traders and native tribes met here to trade goods. The fur trade sparked a clash of armies on this site in the only battle of the War of 1812 fought on Wisconsin soil. It also brought Dousman here in 1826 to ply the trade for the American Fur Company.

H. Louis Dousman built the Villa Louis as the centerpiece of a country estate that reflected the family's status. For a time the estate operated as the Artesian Stock Farm, breeding and raising fine standard bred trotting horses for harness racing. Amid the thick of Victorian-era pomp in 1885, Dousman and his wife Nina redecorated the house in British Arts and Crafts splendor. The Dousmans left the estate in 1913 and its luster waned over time until the Wisconsin Historical Society took ownership of the property in 1952 and eventually returned the magnificent home to its 1890s heyday.

Erected 2002 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 474.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

lists: Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers • War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks, and the Wisconsin Historical Society series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.

Location. 43° 3.389′ N, 91° 9.463′ W. Marker is in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, in Crawford County. It is on North Villa Louis Road north of Bolvin Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 521 North Villa Louis Road, Prairie du Chien WI 53821, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Corn Belt,

in the Driftless Area — Bluff Country,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A Country Estate (within shouting distance of this marker); American Indians (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); War of 1812 (about 300 feet away); Fort Crawford (approx. 0.3 miles away); Smoke stacks and paddle wheels (approx. 0.3 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Prairie du Chien

Villa Louis Marker <i>[north side]</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, October 7, 2009

2. Villa Louis Marker [north side]

(approx. 0.6 miles away); Pere Marquette and Sieur Jolliet (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Prairie du Chien.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Villa Louis (has been replaced with this marker).

More about this marker. The original 1953 marker (#10) was replaced with this revised 2002 marker.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This link is for the previous Villa Luis marker.

Also see . . . Villa Louis. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on October 24, 2009.)

Additional commentary.
1. Previous marker
There was an older marker with different text at this same location before the current marker replaced it. I don't know why it was changed. I asked the park director if I could photo the other marker and he was nice enough to haul it out of a shed for me. He commented that we marker searchers were a "persistent bunch".

— Submitted August 12, 2017, by Steve Chizzo of Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

Villa Louis Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Greta Schassler, May 18, 2025

3. Villa Louis Marker

Photographed by Keith L, October 7, 2009

4. Villa Louis

State/National Register of Historic Places #66000123

Credits. This page was last revised on May 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,963 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 24, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 3. submitted on May 18, 2025, by Greta Schassler of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on October 24, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.