Prairie du Chien, WI

FUR TRADE ERA

Prairie du Chien’s recorded history was ushered in June 17, 1673 when Marquette
and Jolliet came down the Wisconsin River and were the first Europeans to see the
Mississippi River. Traditionally, the name of Prairie du Chien came from the French
for Prairie of the Dog, an early Fox chief who lived on the prairie.

French Canadians, engaged in the fur trade, settled on the island by the river, and
the fur trade made the first major economic impact on the settlement. Each spring
fur traders and Native Americans met on the prairie to exchange furs for guns and
other goods. Prairie du Chien was neutral territory; conflicting tribes laid down
their arms before attending the rendezvous.

Gradually the British took over much of the fur trade centered in Prairie du Chien.
In the early 1800s, the Americans asserted their presence with the building of Fort
Shelby. During the War of 1812, the British and Americans skirmished for control
of the fort and the prairie. July 1814, the only battle of the war fought in Wisconsin
happened here and is known as The Battle of Prairie du Chien. The fort was burned.


These were beautiful flowers hanging at a shop in town. We are looking over the
Mississippi River going across the bridge to Iowa.