The June sky turned dark as a thunderstorm bore down on John A. Latsch, who was canoeing on the Mississippi River above his hometown of Winona. Latsch, a wealthy grocer, loved to fish, hunt and explore the Byzantine backwaters of the Mississippi River in his little boat. Back then, in 1907, when Latsch was a 47-year-old businessman, the Mississippi River bottom land was viewed as public property, even if it was privately owned. Usually, landowners allowed boaters brief refuge along the shore, especially under brooding skies.
Not this day. As Latsch beached his canoe and crawled beneath it to wait out the storm, an angry farmer and his dog confronted him. The farmer demanded that the well-known Winonan push off from his property immediately.
Latsch complied but the next morning, he directed his business agent to purchase the land on which the incident occurred. He wanted the wild riverbanks to belong to everyone. Thus was born a conservation career that has left a lasting mark on both sides of the Mississippi.
The lands he donated to Minnesota and Wisconsin eventually became parts or all of John A. Latsch and Whitewater state parks in Minnesota and Perrot and Merrick state parks in Wisconsin.
Today, John A. Latsch State Park is a simple wayside respite along Hwy. 61, about 12 miles northwest of Winona. The 450-acre park is for day use only with a shady picnic area nestled under the hardwoods bordering the busy highway.
the basics
The park's main attraction is Charity Bluff, rising 500 feet above the Mississippi River. Along with its sister bluffs, Faith and Hope, this trio of rocky headlands formed a natural navigational landmark for steamboat captains heading up or down the river. In the 1850s, a bustling steamboat landing and logging town was tucked into the foot of the bluffs, supplying timber for the sprouting town of Winona. Today, the bluffs make great spots for viewing fall's colors.
Like most things of value, you have to earn the privilege of the bluff-top vista, scrambling 592 steps up the steep staircase, which is punctuated by benches where you can catch your breath.
Once you are perched atop the river, the world expands into the distance. The lofty aerie overlooks the riverbank where the legendary story of Latsch and the farmer took place. Hwy. 61 snakes around the river bluffs far below. This is the home of peace, wind and hawks.
