History of Winona County

Winona County was established in 1854 when Fillmore County was divided. Then, three years later when Minnesota became a State, Winona County officially became part of the United States.

The traditional functions of County Government were Law Enforcement, Property Taxes, Elections, Highway Maintenance and Construction, Recording of Legal Documents, Social Services, and Judicial Administration (Courts).

From 1853 to 1859, each officer of the County performed his official duties and kept his records in his own office or home, except that in 1857 the County furnished an office for the register of deeds and sheriff in a small building on front street, south of where the pumping station of the waterworks are now located. In 1859 the same officers were furnished rooms in a block three blocks farther down the river, in what was known as the Smith & Bennet Building a three story building facing the levee, near Lafayette Streets. These officers shared the occupancy of that building with several branches of the city public schools.

The Board of Commissioners, at their session on April 17, 1862, completed their negotiations for a Courthouse site, having purchased from H. D. Huff the vacant lot of 60 by 140 feet, on the southeast corner of Third and Washington Streets. This was lot 5, block 19, fronting toward the river. Propositions to sell lots for the site were made by several different persons, at prices ranging from $400 to $800, but the choice of the Board lay between the lot above designated and one on the corner of Fourth and Lafayette Streets. There was some doubt as to the title to the lot on the corner of Fourth and Lafayette Streets. So the one on the corner of Third and Washington Streets was selected. The contract for building the Courthouse was given to C. G. Maybury, for $4,500. This building was completed and occupied in October 1862. At that time the jail occupied a part of the building. On January 8, 1870, the County purchased from Mr. Huff lots 4, 6, and 7, and the west two thirds of lot 3, in the same block. Lot 8 had also been purchased giving the County a frontage of 160 feet on Third Street and 180 feet on Fourth Street. The jail was built in 1871. On July 26, 1882, the County Commissioners took preliminary action on the building of the new Court House. The plans of C. G. Maybury and Son were approved May 17, 1887. The contract was let to Munck & Lohse, September 22, 1887. Ground was broken September 28, 1887. The corner stone was laid on June 20, 1888. The dedication was observed September 16, 1889.

As the population grew, so did the need for more services and increasing responsibilities for County Government. As a result, more space was needed. Thus, the addition of the Highway Department Building on Highway 61 in 1962, the Law Enforcement Center in 1979 and the County Office Building in 1985, the Plaza Building in 1993, Environmental Services Building in 1998, and Maintenance Building in 1999.

The original cost of the Courthouse, in round numbers, was $125,000. Since that time, over 2.5 million dollars have been spent on restoration and remodeling the facility up to September 3, 2000, when the ceiling of a fourth-floor courtroom collapsed breaking four water pipes and sending over 4500 gallons of water throughout the courthouse causing major water damage to the interior of the building.

All offices were relocated to alternate sites and plans for remodeling the structure were put into motion. At the present time, the County offices of Auditor, Treasurer, Assessor, Recorder, Planning, Personnel, and County Administrator have been permanently housed in the old Norwest bank building, which was renovated to accommodate these departments.

The Winona County Board approved a total renovation project to meet Department of Corrections standards as well as other statutory requirements and provide office and courtroom space adequate for 21st Century needs. The building is scheduled for completion in September or October of 2002 and will accommodate three judges and judge teams, Court Administration, County Attorney, and Department of Corrections - Courthouse Unit (probation services).