In 1851, steamboat Capt. Orrin Smith, while traveling the Mississippi River, discovered an island in Hiawatha Valley. This place would ultimately become Winona, Minnesota, a city whose identity has been intertwined with the great river since its inception. It wasn't long after Winona was discovered that entrepreneurs began taking advantage of its strategic location. By the turn of the century, the city became a major center of transportation. Today, Winona benefits from the presence of a multitude of manufacturers and an extremely skilled workforce. Its self-sufficient and steadily growing economy has been bolstered by the presence of efficient railways, waterways and highways.

Its location on the banks of the Mississippi, approximately 120 miles from Minneapolis/St. Paul, has proven to be an insurance policy for Winona's future in more ways than one. The river's proximity has fueled Winona's economy, in addition to providing a wealth of recreational opportunities throughout the Upper Mississippi River Valley. And the river's legendary status has contributed a rich history to the area - not to mention spectacular scenery. Winona is known for its towering limestone bluffs; deep, dark and mysterious caves and caverns; and its gently rolling, green hills.

Contrary to what you might believe, it's not a misnomer to refer to Winona as an island. The city actually sits atop a huge sandbar created by the Mississippi itself. Approximately two years after Capt. Hatch discovered the area, some 300 settlers had put down stakes in Winona. Settlers who were headed west stopped in Winona to collect supplies before continuing the final leg of their journey. Wheat became Winona's source of income, and in 1862, the Winona and St. Peter Railroad was built to help transport this crop to destinations located further west. The city's wheat surplus generated wealth and prosperity throughout Winona. Successful barons of industry built large, sprawling estates in the area and donated funds for public buildings as well as cultural and recreational sites.

From 1870 until the turn of the century, Winona tapped into another "gold mine" of sorts: the timber industry. Boats carried Wisconsin lumber into Winona for timber processing. Before long, Winona emerged as one of the nation's predominant timber-processing cities. This booming industry brought an influx of immigrants from Europe, particularly Poland and Germany. The cultural imprint these populations left on Winona is permanent and has made significant contributions to the city in terms of its diversity, history and annual traditions; for example, the Polish Cultural Institute of Winona, which pays tribute to the nation's Kashubian population, a group of Polish immigrants with their own dialect. "Polish Heritage Days," held annually in Winona, observes with traditional Polish fare, dances, a Polish mass the anniversary of the passage of the Polish Constitution (1791) and the Feast of Mary, Queen of Poland.

Winona residents hold a myriad of other festivals throughout the year, most of them in observance of the city's history. Steamboat Days, held around July 4th each year, allows residents to revisit their favorite childhood memories of festivals and fairs. Steamboat Days is legendary for such events as the "Great Bed Race," as well as performances by barbershop quartets, live musical performances and ice cream socials. The Victorian Fair, held annually in October takes participants on a tour of several of Winona's historical residences and presents foods, crafts and fashions characteristic of the Victorian era. And the annual Winter Carnival is the winter enthusiast's survival of the fittest, consisting of such endeavors as ice fishing, ice sculpting and snowmobile races.

The proud holder of the title "All-America City" by the National Municipal League, Winona offers homeowners several attractive options. The city has adapted to its geographical constraints, building homes throughout the valleys and gently rolling hills in the area. Winona has a large inventory of historic residences (approximately 45 percent were built before 1900), as well as a steadily growing percentage of newer homes. Developers have annexed land onto Winona and have built additional subdivisions. To accommodate the renters' market, several historic homes have been converted into multifamily residences. Prices are extremely competitive by national standards, with many four- and five-bedroom homes listed in the lower $100s.

Literally as well as figuratively, Winona is an island unto itself. Capitalizing its location on the banks of one of America's great waterways, Winona nurtured on its own a self-sufficient economy and a community rich in tradition and culture.

Published: November 13, 2000

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