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

Site of the Second Fort Crawford

1829 – 1856

Photographed by Keith L, June 18, 2011

1. Site of the Second Fort Crawford Marker

Inscription. The first Fort Crawford was built in 1816, and stood on the site now occupied by the "Villa Louis." After a decade of Mississippi River flooding, the U. S. Army relocated Fort Crawford to this site, constructing the new fort of locally quarried limestone. Under construction from 1829-1834, the fort included housing for eight companies of soldiers and their officers. The army added a separate surgeon's quarters and military hospital. The soldiers built the fort while on fatigue duty but were often called away from the construction to settle Indian disputes. In 1825, 1829, and 1830 important Indian treaties were negotiated at the first and second Fort Crawford. Here, on August 27, 1832, Sauk Indian leader Black Hawk surrendered, ending the Black Hawk War. Colonel Zachary Taylor, Colonel Willoughby Morgan, Lt. Jefferson Davis, and Dr. William Beaumont served at Fort Crawford in the 1830s. The Fort Crawford Hospital was partially reconstructed by WPA workers in honor of Dr. William Beaumont, renowned for his pioneer experiments in human digestion.

Erected 1999

Erected 1999 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 432.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

• Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Black Hawk War, the Former U.S. Presidents: #12 Zachary Taylor, the National Historic Landmarks, the Wisconsin Historical Society, and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1816.

Location. 43° 2.565′ N, 91° 8.818′ W. Marker is in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, in Crawford County. It is on West Rice Street west of South Beaumont Road, on the right when traveling west. Marker is at the Fort Crawford Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 717 South Beaumont 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: Black Hawk's Surrender (a few steps from this marker); William Beaumont, M. D. (within shouting distance of this marker); Jefferson Davis (approx. 0.3 miles away); Pere Marquette and Sieur Jolliet (approx. half a mile away); Prairie du Chien (approx. half a mile away); Prairie du Chien Veterans Memorial

Photographed by Keith L, June 18, 2011

2. Site of the Second Fort Crawford Marker

(approx. 0.7 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); Smoke stacks and paddle wheels (approx. 0.9 miles 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 within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

Additional commentary.
1. Bench Plaque
Three of the four bench plaques are shown. The plaque on the fourth bench is missing.

— Submitted June 19, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.

Nearby Cannon image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 18, 2011

3. Nearby Cannon

Cannon by Four Benches image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 18, 2011

4. Cannon by Four Benches

Plaque on Bench image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 18, 2011

5. Plaque on Bench

In Honor of the Doctors Pomainville who have cared for the people of Wisconsin Rapids since 1899 · F.X. Pomainville, M.D. 1871-1958 · George Pomainville, M.D. 1880-1943 · Francis Pomainville, M.D. 1902-1944 · L.C. Pomainville, M.D. 1907- · Harold G. Pomainville, M.D. 1907- · Presented by L.C. Pomainville, M.D. · 1973

Photographed by Keith L, June 18, 2011

6. Plaque on Bench

Presented by The State Medical Society of Wisconsin Auxiliary · In honor of the women who have served as its Presidents · 1973

Photographed by Keith L, June 18, 2011

7. Plaque on Bench

In Honor of George W. Krahn, M.D. 1888-1952 Oconto Falls · Presented by Leigh Krahn Behnke and George A. Behnke, M.D. · 1976

Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 19, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,775 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on June 19, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.