Military​
Civil War
As the town of Winnebago was developing, the shadow of the Civil War loomed over the community. Two hundred men from the Winnebago area enlisted, including Captain Walker, who was sent to the infamous Confederate prison at Andersonville. Sadly, Peter Miller, James Clabaugh, and Washington Latimer all perished there. Memorial stones in their honor stand at Basey Cemetery, northwest of Winnebago. After the war, the men who returned were granted 150 acres of land to farm and build new lives.
Gladys Owen
Gladys Owen, born in Winnebago in 1901, exemplified a life of dedication and service. After graduating from Winnebago High School and Parker College, she worked as a legal secretary in her hometown for 20 years. In 1943, she joined the U.S. Army during World War II, embarking on a remarkable 20-year military career. Rising to the rank of Master Sergeant, Gladys served as head of public relations under General Eisenhower in London and Paris. Her service also took her to Japan, Germany, and other European countries. After retiring in 1963, she returned to her roots in Winnebago.
World War II Case​
In 1946, Merlyn Huset enlisted in the U.S. Army at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, serving with Company 1 Motor Battalion as an automotive equipment operator at General Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. During this time, he had the distinguished honor of serving as chauffeur for General Douglas A. MacArthur. He was honorably discharged in September 1947, receiving the Army of Occupation Medal (Japan) and the World War II Victory Medal. In 1954, his family moved to New Richland, Minnesota, before settling in Winnebago, where he managed the tile plant and later purchased the Huset Ready Mix plant. He then worked for 30 years with Royer Plumbing and Heating of Winnebago until his retirement in 1993.
World War II​
Soldiers Photographs
During World War I, the Winnebago area proudly contributed more volunteers per capita than any other town of its size in the United States. Can you spot how many women are in this photograph?
Civil War
1861-1865
Spanish American War
1892-1898
World War I
1917-1918
World War II
1941-1946
Cold War
1947-1991
Korean War
1950-1955
United States
Involvement ​in Wars
Vietnam War
1961-1975
Lebanon-Grenada
1982-1984
Panama
1989-1990
Persian Gulf War
1990-1991
Bosnian War
1992-1995
Somali Civil War
1992-1995
Address
16 Main Street South
P.O. Box 595
Winnebago, MN 56098
Opening Hours
​Sun & Mon
Closed
Tuesday
9:00 am – Noon
Wed - Sat
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm