Journey back in time as we explore Winona’s past through retro postcards from our collection. It’s fun to see these Minnesota landmarks through a vintage lens. Join us for a cute adventure in this quaint Mississippi River town!
Vintage Postcards from Winona, Minnesota
Nestled in the southeast corner of Minnesota lies our hometown: the picturesque city of Winona, rich in history and culture. Founded in 1854, Winona has a storied past that has been preserved through the ages. One of the most fascinating ways to delve into the city’s history is through vintage postcards.
Long before Instagram, postcards were a popular means of bragging about where you had been. They were often sent by travelers to family and friends back home. In the early 1900s, postcards became more than just a way to keep in touch. They were a way to capture memories, document events, and showcase the beauty of the places they depicted. Winona was no exception.
Today, vintage postcards provide a glimpse into Winona’s past. Each postcard is a snapshot of a moment in time, frozen in history for us to explore and appreciate. In this blog article, we’ll take a visual tour of Winona’s past through vintage postcards. Join us as we explore some of the city’s most iconic landmarks and hidden gems, and learn more about the people and events that shaped Winona’s rich history.
Our Postcard Collection
An iconic design offering a friendly greeting from Winona, Minnesota. Don’t you just love those colors and fonts?
This image of the Winona Hotel was postmarked 1899. This building is now home to The Kensington, an apartment complex for retirees. There’s also a barber shop on the main floor: Uncle Gill’s Cutz.
Postmarked 1910, this charming scene is of Levee Park and the Mississippi River. Even today you will see riverboats docked in the summertime here in Winona.
This one was postmarked 1911 and shows the historic Masonic Temple in Winona. Built in 1909, the City of Winona now rents the Masonic Lodge as a venue for concerts and other events. We’ve performed concerts here a few times.
A bird’s-eye view of downtown Winona, postmarked 1922. It looks much the same today.
A nice photo of Sugar Loaf and Lakeside Park (with East Lake Winona). This postcard was never used so there is no postmark, making it a bit harder to date. We’re guessing maybe 1930s…but would love to hear your thoughts! Email us: jackandkittyxo@gmail.com
Another peaceful image of Sugar Loaf. Again, most likely from the 1930s or early 1940s. It’s funny, because it looks similar to a photo Kitty took last fall. Check out the next image…and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
Here’s that pic we mentioned. Kitty took this one when we were filming a fun travel video in October 2022. Be sure to Subscribe to our YouTube channel for travel tips, tricks and hidden gems in Minnesota…and beyond!
Another vintage postcard…Sugar Loaf and Lake Winona in the evening. Such a peaceful setting!
This postcard – probably from the late 1930s or early 1940s, shows Winona from the Garvin Heights lookout…which you can still visit today. Here’s how you get to Garvin Heights Park.
Postmarked 1932, here’s “Indian Head Rock”, now known by it’s more popular name: Sugar Loaf.
Another postcard, this from the early 1940s, of Sugar Loaf. Did you know that Native American legend has it that the mountain represented the cap of Chief Wapasha I transformed into stone?
Postmarked 1942, here’s a postcard of downtown Winona which highlights the “New Mississippi River Bridge”. This bridge is still in use today and connects Minnesota to Wisconsin.
Last postcard from our collection – most likely from the 1960s. This is downtown Winona’s former pedestrian-friendly Levee Plaza. The stunning Oddfellows Building is still standing in the heart of downtown Winona.
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Conclusion: Vintage Postcards of Winona
In conclusion, vintage postcards provide a unique window into the past, allowing us to appreciate the beauty, diversity, and history of Winona. They offer a tangible connection to our ancestors, and a sense of continuity and tradition that we can still relate to today. As we look back at the iconic landmarks, bustling streets, and charming neighborhoods of Winona, we are reminded of the city’s vibrant past and the people who made it what it is today. So, the next time you visit Winona, take a moment to appreciate the city’s rich heritage, and remember the stories that vintage postcards have to tell.
Video Tour with Jack and Kitty
Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more travel tips, hidden gems and more. We typically make a lot of content about fun and quirky spots to visit in Minnesota and the upper Midwest…you betcha!
Vintage Postcards from Winona, Minnesota: A Visual Tour of the Past
Jack and Kitty Norton are Emmy Award winning and best-selling authors. High school sweethearts turned married soulmates, this fun-loving couple splits their time between Minnesota and Tennessee and would love to have you over for some tater tot hotdish.