29 July 2018
Leaving Iowa and crossing the Mississippi River into
Wisconsin at Prairie Du Chien, our first stop was the visitor's Center. We
learned that there was a well preserved home from the early 19th century along
the river. Hercules Dousman made a great deal of money in
the fur trade and many other investments in the early 1800's and moved with his
family to Prairie Du Chien around 1830. He build the first family home along the Mississippi. By the time of his death in 1868, he was among
the wealthiest men in Wisconsin.
Shortly after his death, his son build a new,
far grander home on the same property after demolishing the first home. The family lived in this home, which is part of an
historical park along the river which includes several other buildings and
history of the war of 1812.
The home was certainly one of the best homes of this period
that we have toured. The lavish interior
was meant to impress all who entered with the wealth of the family. Unfortunately, no pictures were allowed
inside. It is a must see home of the mid
1800's.
We stopped for the night at the ACOE park in Desoto, WI
2 comments:
Looks very impressive from the outside. I guess that's what you can do if you inherit Daddy's hard earned money. Lovely lake view. Is the ACOE park a Corps of Engineers??
I love touring these old mansions, so this is added to our "list." Looks like a nice c/g.
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