Before its founding by white settlers, Winona, Minnesota, was the home
of a band of Sioux led by the great Wapasha dynasty. After white
settlement began in 1851, the city's growth was fueled by the
Mississippi riverboat trade. Groups of immigrants passed through the
Gate City, and many stayed, founding enduring ethnic communities and
building a city that for a brief time rivaled Minneapolis. The
settlement covered the sandy flats with houses, churches, colleges, and
factories, and carved the hill Wapasha's Cap into the landmark now known
as Sugar Loaf.
Yesterday's riverboats have given way to today's recreational vehicles,
but Winona's factories and businesses still sell products to the
national market, and the colleges-now universities-are a significant
part of the city's life.
Through their combined collections of rare postcards, authors Chris
Miller and Mary Pendleton take readers on a visual tour of Winona's
history, exploring the city's Native American heritage, natural scenery,
development, historic landmarks, and long relationship with the
Mississippi River.