Red Wing's History and Present

Winter Drafts

By Barb Umberger Thu, Aug 06, 2009

The many spectacular sights and facets of Red Wing.

Jerry Borgen, 76, represents the third of five generations of family members who have called Red Wing, Minn., home. Red Wing is located about an hour southeast of the Twin Cities, and an hour north of Rochester, Minn.

One of the main reasons Red Wing is so special to Borgen is the people. "Besides the natural beauty of the bluffs, the valleys, the river, what I like about Red Wing is that I can walk down Third Street and say 'hi' to everyone I meet," he said. "And whether I know them or not, they say 'hi' back to me.

"Having lived in Red Wing all my life, I know a lot of people and because of that, it's easy for me to ask for funds when the Rotary needs money for a skateboard park, or when the YMCA is building their third phase or when the Queen Bees need money to promote the riverboat visits to Red Wing."

On the mighty Mississippi Located on the Mississippi River near its junction with the Cannon River, area rivers have provided vital transportation and shipping routes since settlers discovered the Red Wing area. Barges carrying grain, coal, petroleum and other cargo continue to ply the Mississippi River past Red Wing, as the river continues to be important for commerce and to farmers, as well as for fishing and other recreation.

The Mississippi River makes a severe turn at the entrance to Red Wing from the northwest. It runs west to east in front of Red Wing, not north-south like many rivers. "That bend has many stories," Borgen said. "Many barges have failed to make the bend and wound up ashore."

The shoreline at the south end of the river's bend features a beautiful park called Baypoint, which includes a playground and walkway. "The walkway measures two miles if you go around three times," Borgen said. "It's busy with walkers daily all year long. It's a good way to stay healthy and watch the ducks and boats go by."

Three huge, steel poles shaped like a tipi are in place on the west end of Baypoint Park. The poles symbolize the importance of Native Americans who once lived in Red Wing, Borgen said, as well as the industry that supports the area today and the river that is vital to Red Wing's economy.

To illustrate the many ways that the river intertwines with Red Wing's history, Borgen related the story of a "skull race" in the late 1800s between Red Wing and the lumberjacks of Stillwater. While emphasizing that he was not there to witness it firsthand, he quoted froma book entitled, "The Best 101 Stories in Minnesota:"

"It seems that Red Wing hired a professional skull racer by the name of Fox from out east. Thousands of Stillwater fans came to Red Wing via riverboats lining the shorelines and bridges, betting big money on the favorites. Mr. Fox, the secret professional smoked 'em, embarrassed them and whipped them soundly."

The race has been reenacted several times, with the tally standing at four wins and four losses for both teams.

The bend in the river is the location for the city's River City Days summer festival with Dragon Boat races, a carnival, fire hose contest and a "Taste of Red Wing" featuring area restaurants. Nearby is Pottery Pond, adopted by Red Wing's Rotary Club, which will soon feature a park for skateboarders.

Year-round fishing

The Mississippi River from Lock and Dam 3, near Red Wing, to Lock and Dam 5, near Alma, Wis., is the best fishing in Minnesota, Borgen said, but it's also a best-kept secret. Red Wing is host to a large walleye fishing tournament each year.

"The fishing season never closes here and the influx of boats in February from the Twin Cities is awesome." Because the river doesn't freeze near Red Wing, many bald eagles stick around for the year- round fishing, too.

Borgen described Lake Pepin - a widening of the Mississippi River south of Red Wing - as "the Brainerd for thousands of Iowa folks who live hereeach summer." Not only does Lake Pepin offer great fishing, Borgen said, but it is ideal for sailing because the water flows west to east. Sailboats by the hundreds are harbored nearby in Lake City, Minn.

"The beautiful vistas surpass the beauty of the North Shore - sorry, Duluth," he added.

"The continual, majestic Wisconsin bluffs can be seen across the lake. The North Shore is beautiful, but what do you see across Lake Superior? More lake."

Borgen called the many golf courses atop the hills and nestled in the valleys around Red Wing "second to none" when it comes to beauty and golfer- friendly courses. "I know this for a fact," he said, "because I play golf nearly every day from early March to mid-November."

As a way to entice businesses to locate to Red Wing, Borgen and other civic leaders are leading a comprehensive campaign to promote "Red Wing, Minnesota: the Best Small City in the USA." "We figure if enough people say it, wear it, believe it and live it, some of the CEOs' husbands will want to golf and fish here."

A little history

The first white settlers came to the Red Wing area in the early 1800s, and platted the town in 1853. Native Americans had lived in the region for hundreds of years.

According to the Goodhue County Historical Society, the early Woodland and Mississippian Cultures both inhabited the Red Wing area. The Mississippian people were builders of mounds and, interestingly enough, makers of pottery, both of which left a dramatic archaeological record of their presence in the area around 1000 A. D.

In 1680, noted explorer Father Louis Hennepin is believed to be the first white man to visit the territory. In 1805, Col. Zebulon Pike held a conference with an Indian chief named Hupahuduta; his name means "a swan's wing dyed in red," which the chief carried as an emblem of his leadership. In 1823, another Army officer, Major Long, visited for the second time and suggested the name Red Wing.

Agriculture flourished near Red Wing, with local farmers primarily growing wheat in the 1800s. By 1873, Red Wing had become the world's largest primary wheat market, with a warehouse capacity of 1 million bushels. Before 1900, Red Wing was a major commercial center and stopping point for steamboat traffic.

By the end of the 1800s, farmers diversified their crops and many added dairy cows. In addition, local clay was used for stoneware, bricks and sewer tiles. Other industries developed, including quarrying, iron works, wagonworks, lumbermills, malt houses, breweries and more.

Today, businesses in Red Wing still manufacture pottery as well as shoes, leather, linseed oil and safety and robotics products.

Pottery and Stoneware

Visitors can still watch a potter make salt-glazed pottery the way it was made in the 1800s in Red wing - wheel-thrown and fired in a kiln. potters at work can be viewed at the Red wing pottery sales room. The complex on west Main St. includes many pottery and gift items for purchase.

About four miles northwest of downtown Red Wing is the Red Wing Stoneware Co., organized in 1877. There is no mistaking the cobalt blue design and red wing stamp on the various stoneware pieces still produced as they were 100 years ago. Visitors are able to watch artisans create reproductions of classic pieces as well as newer designs. A retail store is located next to the factory, with factory tours available.

Anderson Center at Tower View

Located on 330 acres, the anderson center at Tower view is part museum, part host to a vibrant artist-in-residence program. Artists from many disciplines live on the campus each year. Their completed works and many more are displayed throughout the campus. Among the center's permanent collection are signed and numbered works by Picasso, Dali, Chagall and Warhol.

The property is located on the former farm and laboratory of alexander pierce anderson, a noted farmer, educator, scientist, poet, essayist, botanist and naturalist. he may be most known for inventing "puffed cereal." Anderson patented the process and eventually held 25 patents on the puffing process and manufacturing equipment.

The Anderson Puffed Rice Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Quaker oats, operated from 1901 to 1941. Puffed rice was introduced publicly at the st. louis world's fair in 1904.

Red Wing Shoe Company

The familiar Red Wing logo is also associated with Red Wing Shoes. Two manufacturing facilities remain in Red Wing as well as the Red Wing Shoe Museum. Since its beginning in 1905, Red wing shoes were known as "work shoes for working people." In the early days they were worn by people involved in farming, ranching, logging, mining, blacksmithing, railroading and construction.

To celebrate the company's 100-year anniversary in 2005, 35 decorated boot statues were positioned throughout Red Wing.

Goodhue County Historical Society Museum

Its bluff-top location is just the first pleasant surprise greeting visitors. inside, you can experience everything from a full-size tipi to a diorama of a Dakota village and pioneer log cabin, to a one-room school to a large collection of pottery and much more.

St. James Hotel

The historic St. James Hotel, which opened in 1875, offers 61 victorian guest rooms and four dining rooms just off the waterfront. With its Italianate architecture, the St. James remains a landmark in downtown Red wing, and was considered one of the most elaborate of the large river town hotels along the Mississippi River in the late 1800s.

Sheldon Performing Arts Theatre

Theodore Sheldon, grain merchant and local business leader, designated that half of his estate be used for a public purpose. Trustees chose to build the Sheldon Performing Arts Theatre, completed in 1904. Built in a Renaissance Revival style, the interior was described as a "jewel box" with ornate plaster work in ivory and gold, deep red carpets and velvet draperies.

The theatre operates year-round, hosting music, theatre, dance and comedy performances, as well as films, lectures and other events.

Winter in Red Wing

Winter in Red Wing presents almost as many recreational options as in summer, and special treats only offered during the holidays. Outdoor options include ice fishing, cross- country skiing, hiking and birding.

Twenty miles of beautiful cross-country ski trails await on the Cannon Valley Trail. Cross- country skiers can also use the Mississippi Golf Links municipal course. Downhill skiing is offered at the nearby Welch Village Ski Resort. Of course, stores are open year-round. That goes for dozens of specialty clothing, gift and craft stores. And don't miss the antique malls on Old West Main St.

Holiday activities and more

Special events are planned throughout the holiday season - from teas and caroling to children's brunches and wine tastings.

The St. James Hotel, for example, offers many holiday events, from holiday buffets on Christmas and New Year's Day to holiday teas and brunches, children's events, a wine tasting and a New Year's Eve gala. Holiday room night packages are also available.

In addition, "Brunch with Binoculars" is offered every Sunday at the St. James Hotel. While you enjoy the brunch buffet in the hotel's rooftop Summit Room, you can also enjoy the bluff views and focus in on eagles with binoculars provided by the hotel. The hotel also offers ski and lodging packages with Welch Village, including overnight accommodations, breakfast at the Veranda, shuttle service to the slopes and all-day lift tickets.

Welch Village also offers a "Family Fare" on all non-holiday Tuesdays and Thursdays this winter. Families can learn to ski or snowboard from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. for a special rate that includes lift tickets, lessons at 2:30 p.m. or 6 p.m. and rental equipment.

Special activities continue throughout the winter. In February and March, head to Colville Park to watch the many bald eagles that circle the open river and dive for food. If you prefer your entertainment indoors, check out a live performance at the Sheldon Theatre, musical performances at Hobgoblin Music located just west of Red Wing on Hwy. 19, or stop by for gaming at the nearby Treasure Island Casino. The casino draws more than 1 million visitors each year.