February 2025
First Telephone in Minnesota City
I've been spending some time looking through old newspapers and found this little tidbit about early communications systems in Minnesota City. This is from the Winona Daily Republican Sept 28, 1888. This had to be the first telephone in the village. Click on image to enlarge
CIties Service Station Advertisment
Not sure where the "Cities Service Gas and Oil" station was located in Minnesota City but I've come across a couple ads for it in old newspapers. This is from the July 5th, 1934 Winona Republican Herald. Maybe someone out there knows more about this gas station? Was this the garage in town? Click on image to enlarge.
Minnesota City Map 1894
have been looking for some interesting city related maps. Here is an 1894 city map of Minnesota City from "The Plat Book of Winona County published by C.M. Foote & Co." I am posting a higher resolution version at minnesotacity.org that you can download and zoom. It will be in the digital collection section of the website. The entire book can be downloaded for free (public domain) at the Minnesota Digital Library. Click on image to enlarge
Minnesota City 1914 Flood Footage Shown in Theaters
Another interesting tidbit from old newspapers. This is from the June 22, 1914 Winona Republican Herald. The 1914 flood was a major one for Minnesota City. Evidently movie footage was taken at the time and shown in local theaters. I wonder if any of this footage has survived somewhere.. Click on image to enlarge.
Moonlight Sleigh Ride to Minnesota City 1896
People were really hardy back in the day! I'm not sure any of us would choose a moonlight sleigh ride from Winona to Minnesota City on January 31st for a social event. This is from the January 26, 1896 Winona Daily Republican newspaper. The Epworth League was some kind of social group within the Methodist Church. I saw more than one listing for these January sleigh rides in newspapers from that era so evidently it was a popular event. Makes me freeze just thinking about it! Click image to enlarge.
Martin's Shoe Repair Shop Ad 1945
I came across this doing newspaper research. This is only the second ad for Martin's Shoe Repair that I've seen. I thought I'd post it as I'm always looking for advertising from the historical businesses of Minnesota City. This is from the Dec. 3, 1945 Winona Republican-Herald. Click on image to enlarge.
