Sign seen in Prairie du Chien, WI on entering from Iowa.

Prairie du Chien is the county seat of Crawford County, Wisconsin. The population was 6,018 at the 2000 census. Image File history File linksMetadata Pdc2. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Pdc2. ... A county seat is a term for an administrative center for a county, primarily used in the United States. ... Crawford County is a county located in southwest Wisconsin. ...

Often called Wisconsin's second oldest city, Prairie du Chien was established by French voyageurs in the late 17th century. The city is located near the confluence of the Wisconsin River and the Mississippi River, a strategic point along the early waterway between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi. The coureurs des bois (runners of the woods) or voyageurs (travellers) is the name given to the men who engaged in the fur trade directly with the Amerindians in North America from the time of New France up through the 19th century, when much of the continent was still mostly... The Wisconsin River is a tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately 430 mi (692 km) long, in the state of Wisconsin in the United States. ... The Mississippi River, derived from the old Ojibwe word misi-ziibi meaning great river (gichi-ziibi big river at its headwaters), is the longest river in the United States; the second-longest is the Missouri River, which flows into the Mississippi. ... The Great Lakes from space The Great Lakes are a group of five large lakes in North America on or near the Canada-United States border. ...

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, or "Dog" in English. As a result, the French explorers named the location "Prairie du Chien", which is French for "Prairie of the Dog". Originally this name applied only to the plain upon which the settlement is located, but it was later extended to mean the city as well. The city of Prairie du Chien is located alongside the Mississippi River, between the Town of Prairie du Chien and the Town of Bridgeport. The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... The Mississippi River, derived from the old Ojibwe word misi-ziibi meaning great river (gichi-ziibi big river at its headwaters), is the longest river in the United States; the second-longest is the Missouri River, which flows into the Mississippi. ... Prairie du Chien is a town located in Crawford County, Wisconsin. ... Bridgeport is a town located in Crawford County, Wisconsin. ...

== History == Image File history File links Adapted from Wikipedias WI county maps by Bumm13. ...

Plaque for Marquette

The first European visitors to reach Prairie du Chien were the French explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet, who reached the city by canoe on June 17, 1673, and discovered a route to the Mississippi River. Much further travel between French Canada and the Mississippi River passed through Prairie du Chien, although routes via the Illinois River were also used. In 1685, the French explorer Nicholas Perrot established a trading post in the area as part of the massive French fur trade industry. The significance of Prairie du Chien as a center of the fur trade did not diminish until the mid 19th century. This is a plaque at the base of a monument to Father Marquette at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. ... This is a plaque at the base of a monument to Father Marquette at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. ... World map showing Europe Political map (neighbouring countries in Asia and Africa also shown) Europe is one of the seven traditional continents of the Earth. ... Father Jacques Marquette (French: Père Jacques Marquette) (10 June 1637–May 18, 1675) and Louis Jolliet were the first Europeans to see and map the Mississippi River. ... Louis Joliet, also known Louis Jolliet (September 21, 1645–May 1700), was a Canadian explorer born in Quebec who is important for his discoveries in North America. ... June 17 is the 168th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (169th in leap years), with 197 days remaining. ... Events January 22 - Impostor Mary Carleton is hanged in Newgate prison in England for multiple thefts and returning from penal transportation March 18 - John Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley of Stratton sells his part of New Jersey to the Quakers. ... The Mississippi River, derived from the old Ojibwe word misi-ziibi meaning great river (gichi-ziibi big river at its headwaters), is the longest river in the United States; the second-longest is the Missouri River, which flows into the Mississippi. ... This article is about the river in the U.S. state of Illinois. ... Plaque commemorating Nicolas Perrot, Clergue Park, Sault Ste. ... A trading post is a place where trading of goods takes place. ... // Indian trade The fur trade (also called the Indian trade) was a huge part of the early history of contact in North America between European-Americans and American Indians (now often called Native Americans in the United States and First Nations in Canada). ...

In 1763, Great Britain defeated France in the French and Indian War, and took possession of the French territory in North America, including Prairie du Chien. The British expanded the fur trade during their occupation of the area. During the American Revolutionary War the city was used as meeting point for British troops and their Native American allies. After the Treaty of Paris (1783) granted the area to the new United States of America, the British and their Loyalists were slow to withdraw. Only after the War of 1812 would the city become fully American. Combatants France and its Indian allies Britain and its Indian allies Strength 3,900 regulars 7,900 militia 2,200 natives (1759) 50,000 regulars and militia (1759) The French and Indian War was the nine-year North American chapter of the Seven Years War. ... World map showing North America A satellite composite image of North America. ... Combatants American Revolutionaries, France, The Netherlands, Spain, American Indians Great Britain, German mercenaries, Loyalists, American Indians Canadian Indians Commanders George Washington, Comte de Rochambeau, Nathanael Greene, Bernardo de Gálvez Sir William Howe, Sir Henry Clinton, Lord Cornwallis (more commanders) The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), also known as the... Chief Quanah Parker of the Quahadi Comanche Native Americans in the United States (also Indians, American Indians, First Americans, Indigenous Peoples, Aboriginal Peoples, Aboriginal Americans, Amerindians, Amerinds, or Original Americans) are those indigenous peoples within the territory which is now encompassed by the continental United States, and their descendants in... Painting by Benjamin West depicting (from left to right) John Jay, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Henry Laurens, and William Temple Franklin. ... Combatants United States Native Americans United Kingdom Canadian colonial forces Native Americans First Nations Peoples Commanders James Madison Winfield Scott Andrew Jackson Isaac Brock† George Prevost Tecumseh† Strength •U.S. Regular Army: 35,800 •Rangers: 3,049 •Militia: 458,463* •US Navy & US Marines: (at start of war): •Frigates:3...

The U.S. was slow to present any authority over Prairie du Chien, but late in the War of 1812 the U.S. realized the importance of holding Prairie du Chien to prevent British attacks from Canada, and began construction of Fort Shelby in 1814. In July, the fort was captured by British soldiers, who occupied it 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 Treaty of Prairie du Chien (1825 and 1829). Fort Crawford was the name of two fortifications of the United States Army built in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. ... The Treaty of Prairie du Chien may refer to either of two treaties made and signed in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin between the United States, representatives from the Sioux, Sac and Fox, Menominie, Ioway, Winnebago and the Anishinaabeg (Chippewa, Ottawa and Potawatomi) Native American peoples. ...

In 1829, army doctor William Beaumont carried out many of his famous experiments on digestion in the hospital of Fort Crawford. Beaumont's discoveries are still the basis of our knowledge on the human digestive process. William Beaumont (November 21, 1785 - April 25, 1853) was a surgeon in the U.S. Army who became known as the Father of Gastric Physiology following his research on human digestion. ... Please wikify (format) this article as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... A physician visiting the sick in a hospital. ...

Col. Zachary Taylor, who later became 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. Lt. Jefferson Davis, who later became the president of the Confederate States of America, was stationed at Fort Crawford at the same time. It was at this fort that Jefferson Davis met Zachary Taylor's daughter, Sarah "Knoxie" Taylor, whom he would marry in 1835. Zachary Taylor (November 24, 1784 – July 9, 1850) was an American military leader and the twelfth President of the United States. ... For the pop band, see Presidents of the United States of America. ... Combatants United States Sauk Nation Commanders Henry Atkinson Henry Dodge Adam Snyder Isaiah Stillman Samuel Whiteside Black Hawk Strength 2,000 Miltia 1,500 Regulars volunteers? Indian allies ? 1000 The majority were women and children Casualties 33 killed in action 39 non-combatants killed 450-600 The Black Hawk War... Jefferson Davis (June 3, 1808–December 6, 1889) was an American statesman and advocate for American slavery and, until he became President of the Confederate States of America, for States Rights. ... Motto: Deo Vindice (Latin: With God As Our Vindicator) Anthem: God Save the South (unofficial) Dixie (popular) The Bonnie Blue Flag (popular) Capital Montgomery, Alabama (February 4, 1861–May 29, 1861) Richmond, Virginia (May 29, 1861–April 2, 1865) Danville, Virginia (April 3–April 10, 1865) Largest city New Orleans... Categories: Stub | 1814 births | 1835 deaths | American people ...

Outside the walls of the fort, early nineteenth century life in Prairie du Chien was still dominated by the fur trade. Prairie du Chien's most notable traders during this time were Michael Brisbois, Joseph Rolette, and Hercules L. Dousman. Dousman especially was able to establish a fortune in the fur trade. This money, combined with income from investments in land, steamboats, and railroads, propelled Dousman to become the first Millionaire in the state of Wisconsin. Dousman died in 1868, and his son, H. Louis Dousman inherited much of his fortune. In 1870 Louis Dousman used his inheritance to construct a luxurious victorian mansion over the site of the former Fort Shelby. When Louis died unexpectedly in 1886, his family renamed the home "Villa Louis" in his memory. The Dousman Family continued to occupy the home until 1913. Nearly forty years later, in 1952, the mansion became Wisconsin's first state-operated historic site. Joseph Rolette, ( 23 October 1820 – 16 May 1871), was a well known American fur trader and politician. ... Hercules Louis Dousman (August 4, 1800 - September 12, 1868) was a trader and real-estate investor who became the first millionaire in Wisconsin. ... A millionaire is a person who has a net worth or wealth of more than one million United States dollars, euros, British pounds or units of a comparably valued currency. ... Hercules Louis Dousman II (April 3, 1848 - January 13, 1886), better known as Louis Dousman, was the son of Wisconsin millionaire Hercules Louis Dousman I. Louis Dousman spent his early years in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, the city of his birth. ... The Villa Louis is a National Historic Landmark located on St. ...

After the fur trade declined in mid nineteenth century, Prairie du Chien 's attention shifted to agriculture and 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 two men named Michael Spettel and John Lawler, who designed a permanent pontoon bridge to span the river in 1874. Lawler took most of the credit for this invention, and made a small fortune through its operation. Lawler would later donate property to establish two Catholic boarding schools in Prairie du Chien, St. Mary's Institute (now known as Mount Mary College, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin), and Campion High School in the later part of the century. Campion High School especially was known for its educational quality, and it produced several notable alumni including Vicente Fox, George Wendt, Congressman Leo Ryan, Governor Patrick Lucey, actors David Doyle and Kevin McCarthy, and writer Garry Wills. Campion remained open until 1975. The Milwaukee Road, officially the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. ... Pontoon bridge across the James River at Richmond, Virginia, 1865. ... Mount Mary College is a Catholic liberal arts college for women, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. ... Nickname: Cream City, Mil Town, Brew City, The City of Festivals Location of Milwaukee in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin Coordinates: County Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett Area    - City 251. ... Campion Jesuit High School was a Jesuit-run boarding school for boys in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, named for the Jesuit martyr Edmund Campion. ... Vicente Fox Quesada[1] (born July 2, 1942) is the current President of Mexico. ... George Wendt George Robert Wendt (born October 17, 1948) is an American actor best known for the role of Norm Peterson on the long-running television show Cheers (1982-1993). ... Leo Joseph Ryan, Jr. ... Patrick Joseph Lucey (born March 21, 1918) was a member of the Democratic Party who served as governor of the U.S. state of Wisconsin from 1971 to 1977. ... David Fitzgerald Doyle (December 1, 1929 - February 26, 1997), was an American actor, and brother of theatre actress Mary Doyle. ... Actor Kevin McCarthy in the remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers Kevin McCarthy (February 15, 1914 in Seattle, Washington) is an American actor. ... Garry Wills (born May 22, 1934) is a celebrated author and historian, and a frequent contributor to the New York Review of Books. ...

Notable People

• Jeremiah Burnham Tainter (1836 - 1920) - engineer who invented the Tainter gate
• Walter Bradford Cannon (1871 - 1945), physiologist who first developed the concepts of fight or flight and homeostasis.
• Pat Bowlen (1944 - ), owner of the Denver Broncos

Jeremiah Burnham Tainter (January 6, 1836 in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin - 1920) was an inventor and engineer known for having invented the Tainter gate in 1886. ... Look up engineer in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Walter Bradford Cannon (1871-1945) was an American physiologist. ... Physiology (in Greek physis = nature and logos = word) is the study of the mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of living organisms. ... This article or section should include material from Fight-or-flight The flight or fight response, also called the acute stress response, was first described by Walter Cannon in the 1920s as a theory that animals react to threats with a general discharge of the sympathetic nervous system. ... Homeostasis is the property of an open system, especially living organisms, to regulate its internal environment to maintain a stable, constant condition, by means of multiple dynamic equilibrium adjustments, controlled by interrelated regulation mechanisms. ... Patrick Dennis Bowlen (born February 18, 1944 in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin) is the Owner, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the Denver Broncos. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Geography

The Mississippi River, viewed from St. Feriole Island.

Prairie du Chien is located within the Mississippi River Valley, upon a long triangular plain that is 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 the United States Census Bureau, the city of Prairie du Chien has a total area of 16.4 km² (6.3 mi²). 14.5 km² (5.6 mi²) of it is land and 1.9 km² (0.8 mi²) of it (11.83%) is water. While the city's area encompasses most of the plain upon which it sits, 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, there is a small unincorporated settlement known locally as "Frenchtown". The plain also extends outside the city southward into the Town of Bridgeport. Here the plain ends, becoming the swampy Wisconsin River Delta. Image File history File linksMetadata Rivermisspdc. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Rivermisspdc. ... The Mississippi River, derived from the old Ojibwe word misi-ziibi meaning great river (gichi-ziibi big river at its headwaters), is the longest river in the United States; the second-longest is the Missouri River, which flows into the Mississippi. ... The Wisconsin River is a tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately 430 mi (692 km) long, in the state of Wisconsin in the United States. ... The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title ) is a part of the United States Department of Commerce. ... A square metre (US spelling: square meter) is by definition the area enclosed by a square with sides each 1 metre long. ... A square mile is an Imperial unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (5,280 feet, 1,760 yards, 1,609. ... Prairie du Chien is a town located in Crawford County, Wisconsin. ... Bridgeport is a town located in Crawford County, Wisconsin. ...

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. While most of these islands are far too small and flood prone to have ever been inhabitated, one larger island just west of downtown Prairie du Chien formed the city's fourth ward until a 1965 flood prompted a mandatory relocation of the island's residents to higher ground. During the relocation project, most buildings with no special historical significance were removed. Now called "St. Feriole Island", the island today serves as a 240 acre city park.

Culture

A monument to Fr. Marquette, located in Prairie du Chien.

Today Prairie du Chien is noted because of its five National Historic Landmarks and its nine sites on the National Register of Historic Places. Its close proximity to Effigy Mounds National Monument and Pike's Peak State Park in Iowa and Wyalusing State Park in Wisconsin, along with its rich history and location alongside the Mississippi River make Prairie du Chien a popular destination for tourists. The Prairie Villa Rendezvous, which attempts to recreate the atmosphere of a 19th century fur trading camp, has been held in the city every Father's Day weekend since 1975 and attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year. 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. This is a monument to Father Jacques Marquette located at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. ... This is a monument to Father Jacques Marquette located at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. ... USS Constitution. ... The National Register of Historic Places is the USAs official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects worthy of preservation. ... Effigy Mounds National Monument is a national monument in Iowa in the midwestern United States. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Wyalusing State Park (pronounced WHY-uh-LOO-sing, IPA: waɪəˡlusɪŋ) is a 2,628 acre Wisconsin state park at the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers. ... New Years Eve is a celebration held the day before New Years Day, on December 31, the final day of the Gregorian year. ... Genera Abramis Aristichthys Barbodes Carassius Cirrhinus Ctenopharyngodon Cyprinus Epalzeorhynchos Henicorhynchus Hypophthalmichthys Labeo Mylopharyngodon and others A carp is any of various freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. ...

In addition to these popular attractions, hunting and fishing have long been popular in and around Prairie du Chien, and the opening of Cabela's fourth outlet store in the city during 1998 firmly established the city as a destination for sportsmen. It has been suggested that Big-game hunter be merged into this article or section. ... Fishing is the activity of hunting for fish. ... Cabelas is a direct marketer and specialty retailer, of hunting, fishing, camping, and related outdoor merchandise, based in Sidney, Nebraska. ...

Economy

Aside from its somewhat larger than average tourism trade, Prairie du Chien's economy is similar to most other midwestern cities of its size. Service and manufacturing jobs employ most of the city's residents, with a 3M plant and Cabela's distribution center being the largest private employers. Local government is also a major employer in the city, as it contains the courthouse and offices for Crawford County as well as a state penitentiary. In addition, Prairie du Chien contains one of Wisconsin's busiest ports on the Mississippi River, and the presence of two railroads and a small two runway municipal airport make the city a shipping hub of sorts for the surrounding area. 3M Company (NYSE: MMM); formerly Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company until 2002) is an American corporation with a worldwide presence that produces over 55,000 products, including adhesives, abrasives, laminates, passive fire protection, electronic circuits and displays, and pharmaceuticals. ... In most counties in the United States the local trial courts conduct their business in a centrally located courthouse which may also house the offices of the county treasurer, clerk and recorder and assessor. ...

Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 6,018 people, 2,376 households, and 1,473 families residing in the city. The population density was 415.7/km² (1,075.9/mi²). There were 2,564 housing units at an average density of 177.1/km² (458.4/mi²). 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. 1870 US Census for New York City A census is the process of obtaining information about every member of a population (not necessarily a human population). ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... Race, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget, is a self-identification data item in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify. ... Chief Quanah Parker of the Quahadi Comanche Native Americans in the United States (also Indians, American Indians, First Americans, Indigenous Peoples, Aboriginal Peoples, Aboriginal Americans, Amerindians, Amerinds, or Original Americans) are those indigenous peoples within the territory which is now encompassed by the continental United States, and their descendants in... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... Race, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget, is a self-identification data item in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify. ... The Hispanic world Hispanic (Spanish Hispano, from Latin Hispānus, adjective from Hispānia, Iberian Peninsula) is a term denoting a derivation from Spain, its people and culture. ... Look up Latino, latino in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

There were 2,376 households out of which 29.3% had children under 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. Matrimony redirects here. ...

In the city the population was spread out with 24.2% under 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 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. The per capita income for a group of people may be defined as their total personal income, divided by the total population. ... Map of countries showing percentage of population who have an income below the national poverty line The poverty line is the level of income below which one cannot afford to purchase all the resources one requires to live. ...

See also

• Treaty of Prairie du Chien

The Treaty of Prairie du Chien may refer to either of two treaties made and signed in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin between the United States, representatives from the Sioux, Sac and Fox, Menominie, Ioway, Winnebago and the Anishinaabeg (Chippewa, Ottawa and Potawatomi) Native American peoples. ...

External links

• Prairie du Chien Chamber of Commerce
• Courier Press newspaper
• WQPC radio
• Video documentary on 'Historic Prairie du Chien'
• Campion Knights website
• Campion Forever website
• Maps and aerial photos Coordinates: 43.044184° -91.142099°
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