A Country Estate

In the 1890's the Dousman family made Villa Louis their summer house. The estate included a large house, office, guest cottage, horse stable, and many outbuildings. The grounds surrounding their residence were beautified with flowerbeds, specimen trees, winding paths, a grotto and a small gazebo. Visitors were entertained with games of croquet, tennis, and golf, boat rides, and picnics in the country. A well was drilled to create a fountain and a fishpond. With a source 375 foot deep, the artesian well water is full of minerals. The Dousmans believed this water was healthful. They served it to their guests and even used it to water their horses.

Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin · United States