Villa Louis
Also known as: Dousman MansionVilla Rd. and Bolvin St., Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
Map
Coordinates:
+43.05578, -91.1592043°03'21" N, 91°09'33" W
Quadrangle map:Prairie du Chien
Description
Hercules Louis Dousman I (1800-1868), prominent fur agent for the American Fur Company, advisor to the government on matters ranging from Indian affairs to land surveys, and owner of river steamboats and a proponent of the railroads, built a large brick Georgian style house here in 1843. In 1870, it was replaced by his son with this villa complex with outbuildings. The house stands on a mound--believed to be a Hopewell site--which was also the site of two early forts. -- National Historic Landmark statement of significance, October 9, 1960
National Register information
- Status
- Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966
- Reference number
- 66000123
- Architectural style
- Victorian
- Areas of significance
- Commerce; Exploration/Settlement; Architecture
- Level of significance
- National
- Evaluation criteria
- C - Design/Construction; B - Person
- Property type
- Site
- Historic functions
- Single dwelling; Secondary structure
- Current function
- Museum
- Periods of significance
- 1850-1874; 1825-1849
- Significant years
- 1843; 1872
- Number of properties
- Contributing buildings: 5
Update Log
- May 6, 2012: New photo from J.R. Manning