Explore Winona’s Storied Past
The ancient homeland of the Dakota Nation, the Winona region is deeply rooted in Indigenous history and culture. Led by generations of Chiefs Wapasha, the Dakota people cherished this area for its sweeping blufftop views, abundant wildlife, and access to the Mississippi River.
Today, Winona’s historic architecture reflects another defining chapter in its story. Grand buildings constructed by European immigrants in the late 1800s line downtown streets, where 13 blocks are listed on the National Register of Historic Districts. From stained glass and stone masterpieces to its majestic basilica, Winona proudly preserves the history, craftsmanship, and cultural legacy that continue to shape the community.
Winona’s Natural Abundance
Nestled along a dramatic bend of the Mississippi River, Winona is shaped by the rugged beauty of the Driftless Region—a rare part of the Midwest untouched by glaciers. While much of the surrounding landscape was flattened by ice, this area remained strikingly rugged, with ancient meltwater carving the Mississippi River Valley deep below the surrounding bluffs.
Today, those towering bluffs frame the city and create some of Minnesota’s most breathtaking scenery. With the Mississippi River flowing west to east and Wisconsin just across the water, Winona offers sweeping views and a landscape unlike anywhere else in the state.
- Sugar Loaf: Towering above Winona, Sugar Loaf is the city’s most iconic landmark. With its distinctive rock pinnacle, scenic surroundings, and nearby hiking and climbing opportunities, this one-of-a-kind bluff captures the rugged beauty and adventurous spirit of Winona.
- Where the River Is Home: Winona’s boathouse community is a colorful Mississippi riverfront tradition unlike anywhere else in the Midwest. These colorful, one-of-a-kind homes sit right at the water’s edge, where days are shaped by boating, sunsets, and a deep connection to life on the river.
- Ecological History of Winona: A unique partnership between the Winona County Historical Society, Winona State University, and Saint Mary's University brings Winona’s past to life through historic survey notes, rare archives, and ecological storytelling.
Millennia of History
For thousands of years, Native Americans prized the fertile Mississippi River Valley for its abundant fishing and wildlife, protective hardwood forests, and temperate climate. Winona’s storied past as a Native American home centers on the tribe of Dakota Indians led by a succession of Chiefs Wapasha.
This city and county derived their names from “Winuŋna” (wee-NEW-nuh), a Dakota descriptive word meaning “first-born who is a daughter.” Over the centuries, writers recorded the name as Wenonah, Weenona, and Wynona. Others called this area “Wabasha’s Prairie,” “The Island City,” or “Wing Prairie.”
The trail of names and spellings hints that this place along the Mississippi River means many different things to many different people. We invite you to discover what it means to you.
- Winona County Historical Society: The Winona County Historical Society (WCHS) preserves and shares the rich stories that have shaped the region for generations. Through engaging exhibits, archives, and community programs, it brings the people, industries, and everyday life of the past into vivid focus.
- Landon Fountain with Wenonah Statue: A prominent feature of Windom Park is the Wenonah statue within Landon Fountain. Isabel Kimball of New York sculpted the bronze figure in 1902 by request of William Landon. He commissioned the piece in memory of his wife, Ida Cone Landon.
From River Settlement to Regional Hub
Following the Treaty of Mendota and the forced removal of the Dakota people, the area now known as Winona was resettled in 1851 by Euro-American settlers, with new arrivals soon drawn by opportunity along the Mississippi River. By 1856, Winona had already become a bustling river town, with steamboats arriving in near-constant flow and a rapidly growing population fueled by trade, travel, and ambition. Within just a few decades, it had grown into one of the region’s most important hubs for wheat and lumber, and even ranked among the largest cities in Minnesota.
As those industries shifted west, the city adapted and evolved—building a diverse, vibrant community rooted in history and creativity. Today, Winona is known for its striking architecture, scenic river and bluff views, lively arts scene, parks and trails, and strong local institutions, offering visitors a place where heritage and modern energy meet along the Mississippi.
Gateway to the West:
Winona's History
When the first riverboat captains traveled up the Mississippi River searching for new frontiers, they found Winona as an expansive sandbar prairie in the midst of the river, labeled only as Island 72. In 1851, Captain Orrin Smith created the first white settlement here, referring to this place as Wapasha’s Prairie after the Dakota chief leading its resident tribe, and droves of pioneers stepped off of boats to stake land claims.
One of Winona’s most iconic landmarks, Sugar Loaf, comes with both legend and history. A Dakota story tells of Sugar Loaf and He Mni Can (Barn Bluff in Red Wing) once forming a single bluff before a disagreement split the land in two.
Originally a smooth, rounded dome, Sugar Loaf took on its rugged, rocky shape after quarrying ended in the late 1800s. Its name was later inspired by the cone-shaped “sugar loaf” blocks sold in early markets. Today, trails invite visitors to explore the bluff and take in sweeping views of Winona and the Mississippi River Valley below.
The gilded era of lumber barons and paddle-wheelers is immortalized here in the lavish architecture that has become a hallmark of this picturesque river hamlet. Elaborate cornices, grand buildings, and vibrant stained glass beckon for a stroll through the historic downtown today just as they did a century ago, having been lovingly preserved by a community that cherishes its river history.
WINONA'S GLORIOUS GLASS
Think you know Winona? Look up — because this river city has a secret hiding in plain sight, glowing from the windows of its banks, churches, and historic buildings in every direction.
Winona has been called the Stained Glass Capital of America, and the title is well earned. With over a century of artistry woven into its DNA and more than half a dozen studios calling the area home, the concentration of stained glass craftsmanship here is unlike anywhere else in the country. From sacred symbolism-inspired panes in the domed interior of the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka to Tiffany-designed lotus windows shimmering inside the downtown WNB Financial location, you'll find masterpieces in nearly every corner of the city.
The tradition runs deep. Hauser Art Glass opened here in 1946 to restore windows neglected during World War II, eventually growing into Willet Stained Glass Studios — one of the largest stained glass studios in North America, with work in more than 15,000 buildings worldwide, including the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
Ready to see it for yourself? View Winona's Glorious Glass single-page handout here, or use your mobile device to register for the FREE Winona’s Glorious Glass Tour below. When you “play” the tour, each stop provides photographs, physical addresses, maps, and historical information about stained glass sites of interest in Winona. Participate in photo challenges and collect prizes along the way!
