The area of Red Wing is rich in history and unique charm. St James Hotel proudly offers guests the chance to experience Red Wing, MN, in our luxurious lodging accommodations. Our Victorian-designed rooms provide a truly enchanting experience distinct from other hotels in the area of Red Wing, MN. If you’re a history buff, look no further for your next vacation destination and book your stay today.
Top 5 Spots for History Buffs Near Red Wing
The Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum
This is just a short drive away from Red Wing, but it is a must-see for all history buffs. The Little House on the Prairie books are well-loved classics based on Laura Ingalls Wilder’s experience living in the midwest in the late 1800s. You can go on a self-guided tour to a recreation of the Little House Wayside at this museum. The Little House Wayside recreation is on the same land where Laura Ingalls Wilder was born.
Goodhue County Historical Society
Goodhue County Historical Society is Minnesota’s oldest county historical society and was chartered in 1869. You can come to the museum in Red Wing to learn about the rich history of the people who lived in Goodhue County throughout the years through their engaging temporary and permanent exhibits.
Lock and Dam No. 2
Lock and Dam No. 2 was constructed in 1930 in Hastings, MN, on the Mississippi River. There is a viewing platform that is excellent for bird-watching. Some common sights from the viewing platform are bald eagles and turkey vultures.
Red Wing Shoes Company Museum
Get a fun vacation photo when you snap a picture with the World’s Largest Boot! Red Wing Shoe Company Museum has free admission. You can learn about the history of Red Wing Shoes, see the Wall of Honor, look at original Norman Rockwell illustrations, and get a virtual tour of the Red Wing Shoes factory. The museum is located inside the flagship Red Wing Shoes retail and outlet store, so you can do some shopping while you enjoy learning about history.
Barn Bluff
The Barn Bluff began forming half a billion years ago on a shallow inland sea floor. It got its current form from raging glacial melt waters that carved the Mississippi River Valley. Prehistoric humans built burial mounds on top of the Barn Bluff. In the 1800s, the Mdewakanton used Barn Bluff as a lookout point for approaching enemies and a safe spot for their women and children during wartime.
Between the 1800s-1908, the stone industry used the Barn Buff for building material, but the residents protested the destruction of the Barn Bluff. They eventually won, and there are still several abandoned quarries and the G.A. Carlson Lime Kiln at the Barn Bluff as reminders of the history of the Red Wing limestone industry.