In the late 1800s, an eccentric inventor and long-time riverman built a home next to the Mississippi River near Minneiska, Minnesota. Putnam Gray's home was so unique that people talked about it for decades, and people like me are still fascinated by it today. Gray was born in Ohio in 1833 and began working
Population (2010) 111 Introduction Minneiska has been called “The town that refused to die” because it has survived several major fires (the latest in 1947), a tornado, and highway construction. History Michael Agnes arrived in 1851 from St. Louis; he and two other early settlers
I’m in the La Crosse area for a few days waiting to pick up copies of my newest book: The Mississippi Valley Traveler Guide to the Driftless Area. It’s been a real treat to enjoy the region at a more leisurely pace than when I was researching the guide book. No rushing around from sunrise
Tuesday was a beautiful day. I met Hans Langseth, an award-winning woodcarver who lives in Minneiska (Minnesota) and the great grandson of Hans Langseth, who gets the credit from the folks at Guinness (the record-keepeers, not the beer makers) for having the world’s longest beard. You know it’s going to be a great day when
