Local News

By Correne Martin

The severity of the gaping holes in Prairie du Chien’s Lawler Park riverfront wall has ignited a sense of urgency for the city council. The many deteriorating areas must be patched to fix the erosion caused by years of waves slapping against the stone wall. 

Having previously allocated $100,000 to patch the current, burgeoning holes made apparent for the second consecutive summer when the river water dropped, the Prairie du Chien Common Council, Tuesday night, approved moving forward with repairing the holes immediately. Bids will be entertained first and then the work will be done as soon as possible.

“It’s not helping to leave them because it erodes faster,” stated alderman and public works committee chair Todd Myers. 

By Rachel Mergen

Dousman Family

In the late 1820’s, Hercules L. Dousman came to Prairie du Chien. He was a clerk for Joseph Rollete, who’s widow, Jane Fisher Rollette, married Hercules in 1844. 

Hercules was a very wealthy businessman, who purchased great amounts of land in the Prairie du Chien area, along with investing in steam boats, lumber, railroads, and stocks and bonds.

Hercules and Jane had one child, Louis Dousman, who married Nina Sturgis. Nina and Louis had five children, Violet, Virginia, Nina, Louis and Judith. 

Dousman House

The Dousman House, originally called the Railway House, was built in 1864, by the Milwaukee and Prairie du Chien Railroad. 

By Rachel Mergen

“There are so many layers of history,” Mary Antoine, with the Pairie du Chien Historical Society, stated. “There used to be so many structures in Prairie du Chien that represented the various layers of history.

But demolition, sadly, has removed many of these historic structures from the present city. Some, though, still stand and are being protected by the historical societies both locally and nationally.

“Each one has a story. Each one relates to individuals. Each one is a tangible remnant of Prairie du Chien,” she added. “Houses aren’t just buildings, they are the containers of stories, because people lived in them. Every person has a story. The people are gone, but where they lived still remains.”  

Brisbois Store/

Astor Fur Warehouse

By Correne Martin

The parents of the 4-year-old boy who drowned at the Prairie du Chien public pool last August are suing the city and the school district for his wrongful death. The family, which is represented by Trial Lawyers for Justice, has requested a jury trial and is seeking an unknown amount of damages.

According to documents filed in Crawford County Court recently, Kurt Warrington and Rachael Warrington, parents of the late Kashton, claim their son died because the city and school district were “negligent in their supervision and custody of [Kashton].”