Prairie Du Chien is a small town in Wisconsin that is the second oldest city in the state. The town was first established in the late 1600s by French settlers Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet, near the Mississippi River and the Fox-Wisconsin Waterway. The name Prairie Du Chien means “Dog’s Prairie” and comes from Fox Indian Chief Alim which translated to Chien in French (dog in English). The city has a deep historic significance to Wisconsin with 5 National Historic Landmarks, and nine sites on the National Register of Historic Places.

Villa Louis

© Villa Louis

Fort Crawford Museum

© Fort Crawford Museum