Before its founding by white settlers, Winona, Minnesota, was the home of a band of Sioux led by the great Wapasha dynasty. After white settlement began in 1851, the city's growth was fueled by the Mississippi riverboat trade. Groups of immigrants passed through the Gate City, and many stayed, founding enduring ethnic communities and building a city that for a brief time rivaled Minneapolis. The settlement covered the sandy flats with houses, churches, colleges, and factories, and carved the hill Wapasha's Cap into the landmark now known as Sugar Loaf.

Yesterday's riverboats have given way to today's recreational vehicles, but Winona's factories and businesses still sell products to the national market, and the colleges-now universities-are a significant part of the city's life.

Through their combined collections of rare postcards, authors Chris Miller and Mary Pendleton take readers on a visual tour of Winona's history, exploring the city's Native American heritage, natural scenery, development, historic landmarks, and long relationship with the Mississippi River.