Photos: Winona County Scenes
View historic photos of Winona County scenes. Photos courtesy of the Winona County Historical Society Archives and reader submissions.
Pieces of the Past
An undated photo showing the Winona country side from Hwy. 14. If you have more information about this photo, let us know at 507-453-3522 or news@winonadailynews.com. For more historical photos and stories, visit winonadailynews.com/piecesofthepast.
Pieces of the Past - Winona Scenes
On Oct. 2, 1919, four buddies took this Overland over the bridge for a sip or two of Wisconsin moonshine — and didn’t make it back unscathed. After the crash, two of the men exited the passenger side door over the edge of the bridge, falling 65 feet from the bridge approach to the pavement below, killing 26-year-old Dennis Lynch and leaving Percy Rollinger severely injured.
For more historical photos and stories, visit winonadailynews.com/piecesofthepast.
Pieces of the Past - Scenes
In 1854, John Keyes and his family settled at the far eastern edge of the platted community of Winona and built a story and a half house near the Mississippi River. Keyes was a lawyer who had practiced law with Martin Wheeler Sargeant, Winona’s first mayor. Later, a larger house was attached, other houses were built and tree was planted.
Pieces of the Past - Scenes
The west end fire hall at the southwest corner of Wabasha and Grand Streets was originally built in 1863 as the First Ward School. When the first Madison School was built in 1881, the building was remodeled into a fire station for a hose company in 1882. The building operated as a fire hall until the fire department became motorized around 1916 a new fire hall was built near the west end athletic park. The fire hall was then sold to Philip Posz and was used as a grocery store until around 1930, when it was converted into an apartment house.
Pieces of the Past - Scenes
Mankato Avenue, originally known as Old Stone Road, probably followed the trail to Chief Wapasha's Personal Camp, located just south of Sugar Loaf. Old Stone Road extended south from the City of Winona, and traversed around the eastern end of what is now Lake Winona. It, then, passed just east of Sugar Loaf and on to either Homer or into West Burn's Valley. Old Stone Road was later paved and renamed Mankato Avenue. Today Mankato Avenue is a wide four-lane major thoroughfare leading to the major north-south corridor, which follows the Mississippi River.
Pieces of the Past - Scenes
An artist’s rendition of what the future site of Winona looked like when it was occupied by the Dakota Sioux.
Pieces of the Past
A 20-inch water main is installed by Mark Modjeski and Winona Plumbing Company at the intersection of West Fifth and Johnson streets in Winona in 1956.
For more historical photos and stories, visit our exclusive section at winonadailynews.com/piecesofthepast.
Central Methodist Church
Central Methodist Church on the corner of Broadway and Main streets in Winona after a destructive fire in 1961.
Pieces of the Past - Scenes
The toboggan slide started part-way up Garvin Heights Road, with sledders making their way across Lake Winona on a good, long run. Built in 1923, the run was closed for good in 1932 due to the high cost of operation.
Pieces of the Past - Scenes
In 1940, the Winona Association of Commerce decided that a highly trained squad of beautiful young women could help induce tourists to spend some time in Winona.
Pieces of the Past - Scenes
Winona's last presidential visitor never quite set foot in the city. On Aug. 18, 1979, the steamer Delta Queen churned to a stop about 100 feet offshore from the Winona levee. President Jimmy Carter, first lady Rosalynn and 11-year-old daughter Amy waved to a crowd of more than 6,000 from the riverboat's third deck.
1965 flood
Pumps ran continuously as business owners tried to keep the water from the Mississippi River from filling the basements of downtown buildings during the Flood of 1965 in downtown Winona. The river crested at 20.77 feet on April 19, 1965, the highest the river has ever been.
Pieces of the Past - Scenes
Romey Becker bringing in a load of hand picked corn. Undated.
Pieces of the Past - Scenes
Fourth of July float for Winona General Hospital, 1919.
Pieces of the Past - Scenes
Winter in Winona. Undated.
Pieces of the Past - Scenes
Flooding in Winona. Undated.
Pieces of the Past - Scenes
Flooding in Winona. Undated.
Pieces of the Past - Scenes
Tank in a Winona parade? Undated.
Sugar Loaf
Sugar Loaf Hill, photographed from East Burns Valley. Center: the combined Burns Valley creeks and millpond. Background to the left: Rohweder stone house and across from it the Groff home. Below Sugar Loaf: the grove of trees surrounding Sugar Loaf School. Far right: the Sugar Loaf grove used for celebrations. Undated.
Pieces of the Past - Scenes
Saint Mary's University football game in the 1940s. Jim Heinlen photo.
The Arches
This undated photo shows a gathering at The Arches, between Stockton and Lewiston.
Pieces of the Past - Scenes
Old Stone Road, now Mankato Avenue, used for bobsledding in winter. View from Schellhas Brewing fence, to the right, down Sugar Loaf Hill; ca. 1910.
Pieces of the Past
This undated photo shows O’Deas farming near Lewiston. For more historical photos and features, visit our exclusive special section honoring and remembering the city’s history at
Pieces of the Past - Scenes
Work horses, O'Dea farm near Lewiston.
Pieces of the Past - Scenes
A view of the Saint Mary's University campus in the 1940s. Buildings standing are Heffron Hall and Saint Mary's Hall. Photo from Jim Heinlen's collection.
Pieces of the Past - Scenes
Auction at Peter O'Dea Farm near Lewiston?
Pieces of the Past - Scenes
Wind sailing on Lake Winona in 1920s? From O'Dea collection.
Pieces of the Past - Scenes
Haying on a farm near Lewiston in 1920s.
Pieces of the Past - Scenes
Farming on Ernest and Clara Eggert's farm in the Hart, Minn., area. Undated.
Pieces of the Past - Scenes
Workers on farm near Lewiston. Undated.
Pieces of the Past - Scenes
Dakota, Minn., taken about 1930.
Pieces of the Past - Scenes
Good year for corn on the O'Dea farm near Lewiston. Possibly in the 1920s.
Pieces of the Past - Scenes
The photo is of my grandfather, George O. Church, in front of the Church Brothers General Store that he and his brother, Elmer Church, established in the late 1800's/early 1900's. It was a Minnesota City landmark for over 50 years. The woman in the picture is Helen Saehler. I don't know the exact date of the photo but I'm guessing the 1920's or early 1930's. The store building later became Witt's store and is now apartments.
Pieces of the Past - Scenes
Cars at The Arches. Undated.
Pieces of the Past - Scenes
A biplane on Lake Winona? May be a McIvor boy. Undated.
Pieces of the Past 041414
Looking south on Main Street from the high wagon bridge ramp in 1905 in downtown Winona. Today, it's the intersection of Main and Second streets.
Pieces of the Past - Winona Scenes
John A. Latsch Building, Second and Center streets. Undated.
Pieces of the Past - Winona Scenes
Lake Winona, Lake Park Lodge. Shows second story open air pavilion before removal. Undated. (Photo courtesy of the Winona County Historical Society)
Pieces of the Past - Winona Scenes
Oct. 3, 1919, Dennis F Lynche, 26, killed instantly, Percy Rolligner, 24, died later. Both riding in backseat. Stranley Ollhoff, other passenger. John Berry, Minneapolis, driver. Berry found to be dreving intoxicatd and speeding by coroner's jury. Two men stepped out the right door and fell 65 feet to the pavement.
Pieces of the Past - Winona Scenes
A woman gets a photo with a Pioneer Tractor. The tractor was made in Winona around 1918 for Bay State Milling.
Pieces of the Past
Opening night in 1912 for the Colonial Theatre on Main Street in Winona, one of the first moving picture theatres built in the area.
For more historical photos and stories, visit our exclusive online section at
Pieces of the Past - Winona Scenes
On Oct. 2, 1919, four buddies took this Overland over the bridge for a sip or two of Wisconsin moonshine and didn't quite make it back unscathed. After the crash two of the men exited the passenger side door into back nothingness, falling 65 feet from the bridge approach to the pavement below, killing 26-year-old Dennis Lynch and leaving Percy Rollinger severely injured. (Photo courtesy of the Winona County Historical Society)
Pieces of the Past - Winona Scenes
Undated view of Winona from the Water Tower. (Photo courtesy of the Winona County Historical Society)
Pieces of the Past - Winona Scenes
Wreckage of the Wilkie after the fire in 1981. (Photo courtesy of the Winona County Historical Society)
Pieces of the Past - Winona Scenes
St. Stan’s on East Fourth Street in Winona in 2001.
Pieces of the Past - Winona Scenes
Undated photo of downtown Winona looking towards Sugar Loaf.
Pieces of the Past
The Winona water tower, which was located along the levee near Washington Street, was dismantled in 1994. The Winona County Courthouse is in the background. For more historical photos and features, visit our exclusive special section honoring and remembering the city’s history, at winonadailynews.com/piecesofthepast.
Sugar Loaf
Sugar Loaf, soon after the O’Deas were finished with it in 1888. The leftover lump of limestone has been relatively unchanged since quarrying ended.
Pieces of the Past - Winona Scenes
The new housing development built in 1953-54 was named after city sewer inspector Art Thurley, who died with another city employee four years earlier while making an inspection of manhole No. 9 in the Glenview subdivision. In 1998, a major renovation project was initiated at the Thurley homes. Residents suggested to the HRA board that the housing project be renamed, suggesting a new name would signify a fresh start for the once-troubled neighborhood. The HRA board agreed, and the area was renamed Maplewood Townhomes. (Photo courtesy of the Winona County Historical Society)
Pieces of the Past - Winona Scenes
An undated photo of Johnson Street looking north from Sanborn Street in Winona.
Pieces of the Past
Center Street between Second and Third Streets in Winona in 1959 for the arrival of Santa Claus.
Pieces of the Past - Winona Scenes
The Pearson in Levee Park decorated for Steamboat Days in 1957, would later get gingerbread and become the Wilkie. (Photo courtesy of the Winona County Historical Society)
Pieces of the Past - Winona Scenes
Undated photo of an ice palace as part of the Winter Carnival. (Photo courtesy of the Winona County Historical Society)
Pieces of the Past - Winona Scenes
Undated photo of flooding downtown Main Street in Winona. (Photo courtesy of the Winona County Historical Society)
Pieces of the Past - Winona Scenes
The first tree planted in Winona after white settlers arrived in 1851. (Photo courtesy of the Winona County Historical Society)
Pieces of the Past - Winona Scenes
The oldest home in Winona County. Built at the corner of Huff and Fourth streets in Winona as Henry Huff's first home. The house remained where it was built until Robert Waldera moved it to Goodview in 1958.
Pieces of the Past
A view of the High Wagon Bridge, winding through downtown Winona to cross the Mississippi River in 1936.
Pieces of the Past - Winona Scenes
The view looking east on West Second from Huff Street in downtown Winona in 1959. This was known as Winona's red light district, which was closed down Dec. 27, 1942, by a vice raid.The National Hotel, far right, 227 W. Second St., was demolished Aug. 22, 1986. (Photo courtesy of the Winona County Historical Society)
Pieces of the Past - Winona Scenes
Flood waters surround a railroad passenger car home and car on Laird Street, north of Second Street in Winona. The photo was taken on April 18, 1951.
Pieces of the Past - Winona Scenes
A photo of the Latsch Block on West Second Street in downtown Winona after the Morgan Block was demolished in 1973. The Latsch Block was demolished in 1975. The Winona 7 Theatre and River Plaza Building are now in its place.
Pieces of the Past - Winona Scenes
Undated photo of Winona City Hall on Lafayette Street. (Photo courtesy of the Winona County Historical Society)
Pieces of the Past - Winona Scenes
Band shell dedication in Winona’s Lake Park in 1924. (Photo courtesy of the Winona County Historical Society)
Pieces of the Past - Winona Scenes
Construction of the band shell in Lake Park in 1924. (Photo courtesy of the Winona County Historical Society)
Pieces of the Past - Winona Scenes
1921 band festival in downtown Winona. (Photo courtesy of the Winona County Historical Society)
Pieces of the Past - Winona Scenes
In this 1915 photo, Car 11 is at the north end of the Lake Line on Center at Third Street in Winona. Conductor is changing the trolley. The building at the left in the background is the Post Office Building built in 1871 and the Choate Building is at the right. (Photo courtesy of the Winona County Historical Society)
Pieces of the Past
A photo of the water slide construction at the Bob Welch Aquatic Center in 1990. The new center opened in 1990 and featured the 208-foot water slide.
Pieces of the Past
This automobile built in Winona around 1900-02 by Ira E. Berry and F. Harry Berry at the plant of the New Winona Manufacturing Company was propelled by a two-cylinder twin horizontal gasoline engine, giving it a top speed of 30 mph on level roads.
Pieces of the Past - Winona Scenes
The Winona Fire Department in front of the J.R. Watkins office building in the 1920s.
Pieces of the Past - Street Scenes
Looking east on Second Street from Center Street. 1858. X mark showing the shed where the Great Fire of 1862 started. (Photo courtesy of the Winona County Historical Society)
Pieces of the Past - Winona Street Scenes
A Civil War cannon was once displayed in Levee Park. The cannon was melted down for scrap during World War II.
Pieces of the Past - Winona Street Scenes
Winona in 1853. (Photo courtesy of the Winona County Historical Society)
Pieces of the Past - Winona Street Scenes
Photo of Winona looking north with Franklin Street on far left in 2001. (Winona Daily News file photo)
Pieces of the Past - Winona Street Scenes
Winona’s central business district was consumed by fire in 1862, but 10 years later, it was back, much bigger and better than a decade earlier, as this 1872 photo centered on the intersection of the Third and Center streets shows.
1884 Winona
An aerial scene of Winona looking south in 1884. The intersection in the lower left corner is West Third and Johnson streets, and the Winona Normal School’s Main Hall is at the end of Johnson Street in the top left.
Pieces of the Past - Winona Street Scenes
Looking southwest from Second and Center streets in 1864 in Winona. The Huff House and courthouse can be seen in the middle background.
Pieces of the Past - Winona Street Scenes
Undated photo looking southeast from Center and Second streets in Winona.
Pieces of the Past - Winona Street Scenes
Undated photo of the Winona Post Office - Far left - Panoramic view showing Main and Third steets in Winona. (Photo courtesy of the Winona County Historical Society)
Pieces of the Past - Winona Street Scenes
Undated photo of Broadway Street in Winona. (Photo courtesy of the Winona County Historical Society)
Pieces of the Past - Winona Street Scenes
Undated photo looking south from the State Normal School Tower towards Sugar Loaf before quarrying. (Photo courtesy of the Winona County Historical Society)
Pieces of the Past - Winona Street Scenes
Undated photo of Baker and West Fifth streets in Winona. (Photo courtesy of the Winona County Historical Society)
Pieces of the Past - Winona Street Scenes
Undated panoramic view showing Third and Center Streets. (Photo courtesy of the Winona County Historical Society)
Pieces of the Past - Winona Street Scenes
Undated photo of Second Street in Winona. (Photo courtesy of the Winona County Historical Society)
Pieces of the Past
A view of the Winona riverfront in 1856. At that time, Winona was a big grain shipping town. (Photo courtesy of the Winona County Historical Society)
Pieces of the Past - Winona Street Scenes
Steamboat Days parade 1952. (Photo courtesy of the Winona County Historical Society)
Winona fair
A downtown Winona fair on Third Street at the turn of the 20th century attracted hundreds of onlookers as a purported pachyderm (well, two guys in an elephant suit) perched precariously above the pavement.
Pieces of the Past
Parade in downtown Winona.
Pieces of the Past - Winona Street Scenes
Undated photo of the intersection of Main and West Third streets in Winona. (Photo courtesy of the Winona County Historical Society)
Pieces of the Past - Winona Street Scenes
Looking southeast from the foot of Center Street in Winona, Sugar and Loaf First Congregational Church is to the left. The First Baptist Church is in the upper right. The business section of the city is on East Second Street, east of the intersection from which the picture was taken in 1861. (Photo courtesy of the Winona County Historical Society)
Pieces of the Past - Winona Street Scenes
Looking south on Main Street from the high wagon bridge ramp in the 1920s in downtown Winona. Today, it's the intersection of Main and Second streets. (Photo courtesy of the Winona County Historical Society)
Pieces of the Past - Winona Street Scenes
The Christmas season in Winona, looking east from Main Street down Third Street, in an undated photo.
Pieces of the Past
Trollies, cars and bicyclists share the road on East Third Street in downtown Winona in 1915.
Pieces of the Past - Winona Street Scenes
A crowd gathers at Main and Fourth Streets, near Winona National and Savings Bank, in Winona on July 4, 1919, for a boxing match. It was Winona's first boxing match. (Photo courtesy of the Winona County Historical Society)
Wilkie
Wreckage of the Wilkie after the fire in 1981.
Irwin Johnson laid claim to Chief Wabasha’s back yard, and the chief wasn’t entirely pleased.
A disastrous fire wiped out nine-tenths of the business district of Winona in 1862, with a loss of $300,000.
Editor’s note: In light of recent downtown fires, we’re sharing a reflection on the largest fire in downtown Winona history. The story below, …
Today the parish church built with the nickels, dimes and faith of lumber workers and packing house men becomes one of the pope’s very own.
The Winona parish church built with the nickels, dimes and faith of lumber workers and packing house men is one of the pope’s very own.
If Winona had needed a few more miles of sidewalk in the 1880s, Winona’s most famous landmark might be called Pool Table instead of Sugar Loaf.
The births, deaths, joys and concerns of Winona’s turn of- the-century Polish community and of Poles across the nation are assembled in a neat…
The births, deaths, joys and concerns of Winona’s turn of-the-century Polish community and of Poles across the nation are assembled in a neat,…
In 1993 the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conducted a survey of remaining communities of plants and animals.
In 1993, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conducted a survey of remaining communities of plants and animals.
The story of how Winona streets received their names is an interesting one.
Odds are good that there’s a story behind the name of the street where you live.
George M. Gere started the first shop in the county for the manufacture and repair of boots and shoes. First marriage on Wabasha Prairie was t…
All good things — as well as things that are not so great — have to have a start somewhere, sometime. Knowing the “first” of anything is usefu…
