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

Pere Marquette and Sieur Jolliet

Photographed by Greta Schassler, May 18, 2025

1. Pere Marquette and Sieur Jolliet Marker

Inscription. In 1673, Louis Jolliet, Canadian fur-trader and explorer, and Father Jacques Marquette, French Jesuit Missionary, with five French Canadian boatmen, were the first white men to enter the upper Mississippi River.

Indians directed them to the Great River via the Fox-Wisconsin waterway from the present site of Green Bay to Prairie du Chien. The Frenchmen entered the Mississippi River June 17, 1673.

Descending the river until July 16, the explorers turned back at the Arkansas River because they anticipated possible danger ahead from the Spanish and Indians. Returning North, the expedition pioneered what is now the Illinois - Des Plaines - Chicago River passage to Lake Michigan.

Marquette and Jolliet were back at the mouth of the Fox River by the end of September. The trip had taken them over 2,000 miles through country never before seen by white men.

Erected 1973

Erected 1973 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 188.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 17, 1766.

Location.

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43° 2.969′ N, 91° 9.014′ W. Marker is in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, in Crawford County. It is on South Main Street south of West Wisconsin Street (U.S. 18), on the right when traveling south. Marker is at the tourist information center near the Mississippi River Marquette-Jolliet Bridge. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 211 South Main, 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: Prairie du Chien (here, next to this marker); Jefferson Davis (approx. ¼ mile away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Site of the Second Fort Crawford (approx. half a mile away); Black Hawk's Surrender (approx. half a mile away); Smoke stacks and paddle wheels (approx. half a mile away); Fort Crawford (approx. half a mile away); William Beaumont, M. D. (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Prairie du Chien.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Museum of Medical Progress (was approx. half a mile away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . . Great River Road. Wikipedia entry. Photos of The Pilot's Wheel route markers. (Submitted on June 19, 2011.)

Photographed by Keith L, June 18, 2011

2. Pere Marquette and Sieur Jolliet Marker

Photographed by Keith L, June 18, 2011

3. Pere Marquette and Sieur Jolliet Marker

[far right on building]

Nearby Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 18, 2011

4. Nearby Plaque

[far left of the Wisconsin Historical Society marker]
The Pilot's Wheel Official emblem of the Mississippi River Parkway. The 12 spokes represent the 10 member states and two provinces. Signs are displayed along the route with "The Great River Road" and the respective state names thereon. Adopted in 1958 by the MRPC Committee chaired by J. Alvin Druyor, Prairie du Chien, WI

Regional Tourism Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 18, 2011

5. Regional Tourism Center

Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce

Photographed by Greta Schassler, May 18, 2025

6. Pere Marquette and Sieur Jolliet Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 19, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,640 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 25, 2025, by Greta Schassler of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 19, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 6. submitted on May 25, 2025, by Greta Schassler of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.