Brisbois House facts for kids
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Brisbois House
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 Location in Wisconsin
Location in the United States
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| Location | Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin |
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| Built | 1840 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000801 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | October 9, 1960 |
The Brisbois House, also known as the Bernard Brisbois House, is a very old and important house. It is located on St. Feriole Island in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. This stone house was built around 1840. It is one of the oldest houses in all of Wisconsin.
For a long time, people thought the house was built in 1808. They believed it was built by an early settler named Michael Brisbois. He was a fur trader and an important businessman. But later, historians found out that Michael's son, Bernard, built the house after his father passed away. The Brisbois House is now a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a very special place recognized by the United States. The Wisconsin Historical Society owns it today.
What the Brisbois House Looks Like
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The Brisbois House is two and a half stories tall. It is made from gray limestone that was found nearby. The front of the house has five sections with windows. There is a main door in the middle. Two pairs of windows are on each side of the door.
The front door has fancy columns on each side. These columns are called Doric columns. They have a simple, classic design. The doorway also has decorative trim. These light and elegant features show a style called Federal architecture. A porch was added later to the front. It covers the entrance and has a triangular top, called a pediment. This pediment is held up by columns that match the doorway.
The house has a sloped roof with chimneys at both ends. This type of roof is called a gable roof. In 1905, a wooden part was added to the south side of the house. It replaced an earlier platform that wrapped around that side.
The History of the Brisbois House
People used to believe that Michael Brisbois built this house in 1808. Michael was one of the first important businessmen in Prairie du Chien. He owned the land where the house stands. He was a fur trader and helped the city grow.
In the 1950s, the Wisconsin Historical Society did some research. They found that the house was built after Michael Brisbois died in 1833. It seems that Michael's son, Bernard Walter Brisbois, built the house. He likely built it for himself and his mother around 1840.
A house as strong and fancy as the Brisbois House was rare in the early 1800s. But it fit in well with the 1840s. During that time, wealthier people in Prairie du Chien started building more detailed homes. The Brisbois House is one of the best-made homes from before 1850 in the city. It is also one of the oldest stone houses still standing in Wisconsin.
The house was studied by the Historic American Buildings Survey in 1934. This group records important old buildings. The Wisconsin Historical Society bought the house around 1955. In 1960, it was named a National Historic Landmark.
