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The Great River Road
concept led to an awakening. Artisans, mostly
from the Twin Cities, discovered the untamed
beauty of the bluff lands. They found abandoned
buildings waiting for restoration, small towns
ready to be revitalized. Old farms and houses
provided a wealth of antiques and collectibles. |
Many years ago the Native Americans gathered wild
turnips and onions along the shore of the Mississippi
at the wide area we now call Lake Pepin. The great
curve on the northwest bank was specially favored
for its shallow protected waters. Later came white
men for furs. They, too, found the sheltered cove
by the Rush River a fine place to camp.
Potters, painters and weavers came to produce
beautiful items to sell to travelers. Now the
villages along the Mississippi are once again
thriving. Along with the natural beauty that has
always been the strongest asset, there are dozens
of retail attractions to entice the visitor.
Wildlife abounds along the river. Visitors can
be assured they'll see wild turkeys, herons, diving
ducks, fox, raccoons, deer, and other critters.
Look for the large, platform-like nests of eagles
in the Rush River bottoms. The air currents make
it an excellent place to watch eagles soaring
in singular majesty and "kettles" of
vultures gliding on high, confusing the uninitiated
who think they are seeing eagles.
Each season provides changing natural splendor.
Maiden Rock may be a tiny town along the Mississippi
but there is a renewed spirit to improve and showcase
our most lovely area.
Pick up a copy of the Maiden Rock Press in our
local shops and read all about the new happenings
as well as clips from the past that can bring
a chuckle of appreciation for the "good old
days."
The Maiden Rock Community Association hosts Summerfest
on the third Saturday in June with food booths,
a flea market and craft show, several musical
groups, games of skill for kids, and, of course,
a grand parade.
Fireworks fill the sky and shower their brilliant
reflections across the water on July 4.
Motorcycle enthusiasts ride the circle tour of
Lake Pepin in a great caravan in late April and
again in October with Maiden Rock a favorite stop-over
for refreshments.
Late August brings Rock For The Dock celebration,
a benefit for the dock facility that has come
about through the efforts of the Maiden Rock Improvement
Association.
On the first Saturday of December, the community
celebrates the coming holidays with an old-fashioned
Christmas customer appreciation day. Our village
welcomes visitors to use our lakeside park, to
stroll between the intriguing shops, and to enjoy
bird-watching or bike along the Great River Road
and other scenic paths. Almost a mile south of
town off AA can be found one of Wisconsin's designated
Rustic Roads. On the bluff tops, north of town
travelers can discover an apple orchard and a
pick-your-own berry farm. Travelers can find camping
facilities in the park or stay in the area bed
and breakfast establishments. The onset of winter
brings a quiet to the great valley. Some shops,
having no heating plants, close their doors until
the warmth of spring returns. Others remain open
to welcome visitors to Maiden Rock and its sister
villages. The snow covered bluffs and coulees
invite exploration on snowshoes or skis. Lake
Pepin's frozen expanse beckons hardy men and women
to erect shelters and to seek after the prized
walleye. Local inns offer cozy retreats from the
often hectic pre-Christmas rush. Join us to watch
eagles gather as the ice breaks up in March.
Maiden Rock tidbits
- In 1893, a fire razed four
buildings in Maiden Rock: a drug store, a general
store, a barber shop and a photography studio.
- In 1911-1912, six fires ruined
two grain elevators, the train depot, a hotel
and several residences.
- Following a major flood that
rumbled down the bluffs in 1975, a series of
dams, terraces, contour strips and debris traps
was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
- Maiden Rock is home to one
of the largest berry growing farms in Wisconsin.
- The Rush River, located just
outside of Maiden Rock, is one of the finest
trout streams in the area.
- Eagles frequent the shores
of Lake Pepin throughout the year, but eagle
watching in the spring and fall, when the big
birds congregate during their migrations, can
present the viewer with groups of 10 or more
eagles flying over the lake or sitting in the
trees along the lake shore.
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| Maiden
Rock History: |
The Minnesota city of
Winona is named for We-no-nah, the maiden
who leaped to her death rather than wed
a man she did not love. This is one of the
best known legends of the region and there
are many versions of the story. We-no-nah,
meaning first born girl was the daughter
of Chief Ta-te-psin, whose village was at
the falls of St. Anthony. She was very fond
of Father Menard, the Catholic missionary
and first white man in the area. We-no-nah
cared for him during his final illness and
buried him with her family.
She had many suitors but dreamed of more
pale faces to come. The Dakotah braves proposal
of marriage was at nighttime to hold his
'lover's torch' over the head of the maiden
he wanted. One man, Tamdoka, had thus proposed
three times to We-no-nah. but each time
she had covered her head, which was the
sign of rejection. One day a French trader
and explorer arrived at the Indian village.
He and his group were entertained with a
feast and games. He in turn was generous
with gifts. We-no-nah received a deep red
shawl, a necklet and some ribbons. She told
DuLuth of Father Menards death and burial
and presented him with the priest's gown
and prayer book.
During the games Tamdoka was an easy winner
in the races, whereupon he was challenged
and beaten by DuLuth. Tamdoka became very
angry when he saw We-no-nah's pleasure with
DuLuth's win and the Indian began plotting
against the Frenchman. We-no-nah's elderly
father died, leaving the harsh stepmother
in charge of the children. As head of the
family she had a right to sell We-no-nah
toTamdoka. Meanwhile DuLuth was planning
to return to France. We-no-nah pleaded to
go with him. DuLuth promised to return in
the spring. We-no-nah warned him of Tomdoka's
plot to assassinate DuLuth when he left
the Falls and he successfully avoided an
encounter with Tamdoka.
In celebration of spring, all the Indian
bands joined together in games at Keoya,
which was somewhere between Wabasha and
Winona. The stepmother and Tamdoka had arranged
for the sale of We-no-nah at the spring
games and she must then go to Tamdoka's
tent. We-no-nah rowed her own canoe to the
games, still hoping for DuLuth to return.
She was with the bands camped for the night
at the tall bluff which rose 400 feet above
the water. We-no-nah climbed to the top,
stood at the brink and sang her death song.
As Tamdoka and other warriors rushed toward
her, she leaped from the rock. While the
women were still searching for her body,
the sound of an oar was heard as DuLuth
returned as he had promised.
In the late 1800's a tourist boat was approaching
Maiden Rock as the captain told the story
including the fact that people still claim
to hear her song. He waid there have been
reports of Winona appearing on the precipice.
At that moment a young girl stepped to the
brink and waved a handkerchief. Was it the
ghost of We-no-nah?
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