Driftless Area
Check out the Nominations: • Coniferous Forest Zone
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Caledonia – Jeffrey and Angela Gelhaye
We believe that Caledonia should be selected as the capitol of the driftless area biome because we feel the beauty of this region is unmatched by any other, and Caledonia best represents this piece of Minnesota heaven. Since we first started camping and hunting in this region, we have been mesmerized with the hills, the “mountains of Minnesota.” We are in love with the scenery, the wild turkeys and deer that flourish in the tall hills and deep valleys, and with the friendly and caring people. When we are in Caledonia, we are always made to feel at home, and as a matter of fact, we love the people and the area so much that we plan on moving there to work and live! Caledonia, seat of the county of Houston and the Wild Turkey capitol of Minnesota, deserves the privilege of being a Minnesota capitol for a day!
Lake City – Andru Peters
Lake City, MN is in the heart of Hiawatha Valley of the Lake Pepin area and also is in the center of the Deciduous forest Biomes of Minnesota. The area has often been called the 2nd most scenic drive in the nation. With tree covered hills that cascade into the Mississippi River produces a panoramic view that is unprecedented for all seasons. The most beauty is observed during the fall when the deciduous trees leaves turn into a colorful display of bright yellows, oranges, and reds. With the coming of winter, the American Bald Eagle then replaces the fallen leaves and perches upon the leafless branches while patrolling the shores of Lake Pepin around Lake City. This view has been observed and preserved since the first visitors from France arrived in the 1680s. This is worthy of calling Lake City one of the five capitols for the day.
Minnesota City – David M. Eckert
When Minnesota City was established on Sunday, May 9, 1852 the founders were interested in having it become the state capitol of Minnesota. The city has many historic firsts for this region. They include: the oldest city in Winona County, the first school (subscription), the first public school, the first school district (1852), the first church (First Baptist Church 1852), the first post office (1852), the first bridge, the first horticulture experiment in the state (apples), the first general merchandise store, the first blacksmith shop, the first horse shoeing, the first justice of the peace, the first representative to the legislature, the first sawmill, and the first wheat crop. Source - The History of Winona County, 1857. In view of the recent flooding that took place in the city, this honor would be a good morale booster for its citizens.
Reads Landing – Robert Nihart
Reads Landing was one of the original settlements of Minnesota. The settlement was established in 1847 by Charles Reed who recognized the area for it value as a center for commerce and transportation. Located at the mouth of Lake Pepin, Reads Landing was once a thriving town of 27 hotels and 21 saloons. The 2nd brick school house was built and still stands in Reads Landing. Finally, Reads Landing should again be considered a state capital as it one was just before statehood was granted. What better way to recognize small town Minnesota than by recognizing Reads Landing as a cornerstone to the State of Minnesota!
Rochester – Mayor Ardell F. Brede
Rochester, a city of 100,000 and a growing diversity is the center of Southeastern Minnesota and an economic engine for the State of Minnesota. Radiating a cosmopolitan style while valuing its agricultural beginnings Rochester is home to the Mayo Clinic, Minnesota's largest private employer (30,000 employees) and a growing technology base anchored by IBM. The new University of Minnesota-Rochester and the partnership of Mayo Clinic with the UofM in genomics give not only Rochester but also Minnesota a strong focus on the future. No city and geographic area of Minnesota gives our state a brighter future than Rochester and southeastern Minnesota and is most deserving to be "Capital for a Day".
Rushford – Myron Schober
Rushford received attention in 2007 for the wrong reason - a flash-flooded community with impacted homes, businesses and people. Buildings and basements were busted, but the people were not and with the help of thousands of volunteers and many aid programs recovery is underway with a confidence that eventually we will be better than ever. Nothing could showcase the efforts of local people or reveal the generosity given by others as much as letting Minnesotans see how resilient we can be by sharing the spotlight a moment as Capital for a Day. Uncharacteristically we had to ask for help. We received it and it would be a blessing revealed to share it as well as the challenges and ongoing struggles of recovery that will continue for years. Other good Minnesota communities have had impacts and difficult campaigns to come back and maybe Rushford is only the most recent and dramatic. But we do want it to be illustrative of the Minnesota spirit and are working to make it the fastest recovery ever. Rushford is a good representative of the Driftless Area of three states. With forested bluffs, limestone outcroppings, deep river valleys all interspersed with agriculture and livestock it contains all the key elements of the karst geology found only where the glaciers did not create our Minnesota topography. The people of the Rushford area represent the Minnesota spirit, work ethic and tradition. After the trauma of 2007 it would be great fun to show the progress in 2008 of what Rushford people and their thousands of new friends can do when they engage head-on in the battle to overcome obstacles. --M.J.Schober, 29 years Co-editor-publisher, Rushford Tri-County Record
Wabasha – Molly Patterson-Lundgren
Wabasha was incorporated as a city the same year Minnesota gained statehood. The locale was significant for Native people, explorers, and early settlers. Wabasha offers a showcase of the spectacular geography, natural environment, and culture of the Southeast Minnesota driftless region. In 2005, Wabasha became the states first Fit City because of active educational programs and wellness facilities, promoting healthy lifestyles for all ages. Free summer concerts, Community Theater, and historic preservation provide cultural opportunities. Nestled between the wooded bluffs of the State Forest and the backwaters of the Wildlife Refuge with the ever present Mississippi River this historic river town is bringing all of these opportunities together in an innovative initiative, sharing our cultural and natural resources with visitors in sustainable programs and tourism. Being Capital for a Day would allow us to share these riches on behalf of the entire Southeast region with the rest of the state.
Winona – Peter Flick
Winona was the center for Chief Wapasha's indigenous American peoples. The island and bluffland location was the home of lacrosse games, summer lodging, and burial land. These Native Americans wintered on Prairie Island on the Mississippi River on the northern edge of the present city of Winona. When Europeans started to settle the vast plains west of the Mississippi they often disembarked at Winona. They moved west first by wagon and later by railroad. Highway 14 and the DM&E rail-line still follow the routes these pioneers would take as they moved west. the vast woodlands of northern Minnesota and Wisconsin were floated down the St. Croix, The Chippewa, and Mississippi Rivers to Winona to be sawn into lumber shipped west to build settlements and habitat for the thousands of new settlers. These lumber industries made Winona a very wealthy community as shown in its number of significant late 19th Century and early 20th Century buildings. The enormous and impressive Lamberton House, still standing on Huff Street stood before these western travelers since be for Minnesota Statehood. Today, Winona continues to capture the hearts of citizens and visitors alike. The Dakota Homecoming, the many festivals of the arts, its entrepuneral business, and the astounding natural beauty show the significance of Winona as a capitol-worthy city.