Attractions

Prairie du Chien Municipal Airport (PDC)

Information for pilots:

Location: 2 MI SE of city.	Coordinates: N43-01.31; W91-07.48.
Waypoints: UKN-116.6 125 degrees 23.8.	Elevation: 659.
Pattern altitudes: 1460MSL all aircraft.	Runways: 11-293,999 X 75, asphalt lights PCL; road ry 29.
Lights: SS to SR, 122.8 (3 clicks in 5 sec, low intensity; 5 clicks in 5 sec, medintensity; 7 clicks in 5 sec, high intensity); beacon.	Approaches: VOR/DME. FSS: Green Bay 122.25.
Com Freq: APP Chicago Center/ 133.95; UNICOM / CTAF 122.8	Charts: Chicago; L11.
Fuel: Independant100LL, Auto, Jet (additive available).	Fees: Parking: overnight ($2.00); waived purchases.
Hours: 10 am to4 P.M. Monday through Sunday.	Telephone: 608/326-2118.

The runway

 

Villa Louis

Built by the family of Hercules Dousman, this restored mansion contains a magnificent collection of Victorian decorative arts. When an enterprising fur trader named Hercules Dousman came to Prairie du Chien in 1826, the town was nothing more than a frontier trading outpost and military site. Less than 50 years later, his descendants were living in this Splendid Victorian Manor. From their back porch, the family could gaze out on the Mississippi River. Between the mansion and the river lies the site of the only battle of the War of 1812 fought in Wisconsin, as well as the ruins of Fort Crawford.
The Villa Louis is now operated by the State Historical Society, the complex and it's extensive grounds are open to the public for tours. Guides wearing 1890s fashions take visitors through the rooms and explain the history of the family and the customs of the day. Also on the grounds are other historic structures.  An 1850 stone general store houses the Astor Fur Trade Museum, which documents the fur trade in the upper Mississippi River Valley. The Museum of Prairie du Chien is located in the former carriage house and displays the town's early history. The grounds also include the site of the only battle of the War of 1812 fought in Wisconsin and the ruins of old Fort Crawford. Open daily from May to October.

521 N. Villa Louis Rd.
Prairie du Chien, WI 53821
608-326-2721 

The Prairie du Chien Museum at Fort Crawford

This restored military hospital now contains pieces of medical and dental history of the 19th century, including displays of Indian herbal remedies, an early doctor's office, and an old-fashioned pharmacy. This site is best know for Dr. William Beaumont's pioneering studies of the human digestive system. The museum chronicles the advancement of medicine over the past 150 years and displays Indian herbal remedies, an 1890's drugstore, and dentist and a physician's offices. The site is owned and operated by the State Medical Society of Wisconsin. 

717 S. Beaumont Rd.
Prairie du Chien, WI 53821
608-326-6960