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Archiver > WICRAWFO > 2001-11 > 1004970581
From:
Subject: Re: [WICRAWFO] No, I've not dropped off the face of the earth
Date: Mon, 05 Nov 2001 08:29:41 -0600
References: <3.0.5.32.20011104232045.00849d60@mail.chattanooga.net> <3BE68BA0.AD2DB579@palacenet.net>
A quick search of the web reveals:
In 1685, Nicholas Perrot established Fort St. Nicholas near present-day
Prairie du Chien to protect the French interests in the fur trade. (It may
have been burned by Indians.)
1688. Fort St. Nicholas built at the mouth of the Wisconsin. (Date from
another source.)
1755. A French fort established at Prairie du Chien. (No mention of a
name.)
A log fort was completed on St. Feriole Island by Americans in June of 1814.
Fort Shelby, as it was called, was captured by the British the following
summer and was renamed Fort McKay, in honor of the British commander. When
the British left, the fort was burned and replaced by Fort Crawford in 1816.
Flood waters made this location a poor choice for a fort site and this fort
was later allowed to rot away. (Yet another source.)
According to one website, St. Feriole Island was also the site of a French
fort in 1683 and a prehistoric Indian mound.
The U.S. Government authorized the building of the Second Fort Crawford in
1829.
Hope this helps.
Nancy
----------
Mark & Carolyn Jefferson wrote:
> Tim,
> This past summer when our family toured Villa Louis in Prairie du Chein
> it seems vagly that they mentioned something about a French fort that was
> there before Fort Crawford. I might be wrong - it seems that summer was
> so very long ago. My memory of that statement is really vague and I
> can't think of it aqurately. Perhaps the Villa Louis site would have
> more information but I better start the school going process.
> Carolyn Jefferson
>
> Tim Stowell wrote:
>
> > No, I've not dropped off the face of the earth.
> >
> > The events of Sept. 11th sent me for a tailspin as I'm sure
> > it did most everyone else. Subsequent events haven't helped
> > much but I did get away for 9 days in mid-October to rest and
> > relax.
> >
> > About a week and a half after our return my wife decided it
> > was time to redecorate the house which entailed moving most of
> > the furniture from the family room and dining room into our
> > front room...including our present sleeping quarters, the pull
> > out sofa...as the youngest dog had had surgery and couldn't hop
> > into our high bed with ease. (We must keep the animals happy at
> > all costs...) The kitchen is having counters and floor replaced
> > as is the dining room floor and light along with the family room.
> >
> > Then there's my office and 2 other rooms having quarter round put
> > down where carpet had previously been removed which means all
> > furniture is moved to the center of the rooms.
> >
> > I've said all this to say that I'm still plugging away at Crawford
> > County history but under less than desirable conditions. I have
> > sat down though to try and figure a way to expedite the completion
> > of this work.
> >
> > And now today's question. Tonight while flipping through an old
> > history book of the US, I came across reference to an old fort that
> > appears to be at the mouth of the Wisconsin in the Prairie du Chien
> > area. I wouldn't have given it a second thought but for the fact I've
> > not seen this fort mentioned in the history of early Crawford County
> > nor in the pre-Crawford County times for the area. The fort is listed
> > as Fort St. Nicholas with the year 1690? attached. Supposedly it was
> > a French fort. Has anyone heard of this?
> >
> > Tim Stowell
> >
> > ==============================
> > Visit Ancestry's Library - The best collection of family history
> > learning and how-to articles on the Internet.
> > http://www.ancestry.com/learn/library
>
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