1985 Map of Winona

About this map

The Mississippi River valley dominates this mid-1980s landscape, serving as the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin and a major corridor for the Chicago and North Western and Burlington Northern railroads. On the Minnesota side, the city of Winona is flanked by the distinctive Sugarloaf landmark and Lake Winona, while the expansive Upper Mississippi River Wild Life and Fish Refuge covers the intricate network of islands and backwaters. Across the river in Wisconsin, the terrain transitions into the steep ridges and deep coulees of the Driftless Area, including Montana Ridge and Waumandee Ridge. The map details agricultural centers like Arcadia and Whitehall alongside protected lands such as the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge. This survey captures the region's complex mix of river-based commerce, rail infrastructure, and conservation areas before modern developments altered these riparian habitats.