Red Wing in Goodhue County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Kiwanis Stairway

Photographed by McGhiever, October 28, 2018

1. Kiwanis Stairway Marker

Inscription. The benches on either side of this section contain thirty five of the steps which were removed from the original Kiwanis stairway. One hundred fourteen steps still remain where they were placed initially on the upper west end of the bluff.

This plaque and the small marker dedicating the stairway in 1929 are embedded in a limestone block from the stone quarry immediately to the west. There Frank J. Linne, from 1870 to 1890, produced cut stone for some of Red Wing's early buildings, foundations, and walls. The quarry also provided limestone for two kilns at the foot of the bluff directly below.

Working with the City of Red Wing in 1982, the Kiwanis Club again sold named steps to its members, as well as to the public to complete the stairway on this steep area of the Barn Bluff summit trail.

Erected 1982 by Red Wing Kiwanis Club.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.

Location. 44° 34.131′ N, 92° 31.689′ W. Marker is in Red Wing, Minnesota, in Goodhue County. It can be reached from East 5th Street. The marker is on the south trail ascending Barn Bluff, at the base of the Kiwanis Stairway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Red Wing MN 55066, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Minnesota.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

in the Driftless Area — Bluff Country,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mt. La Grange – Barn Bluff (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Kiwanis Stairway (approx. 0.4 miles away); Barn Bluff (approx. 0.4 miles away); Geology of Minnesota (approx. half a mile away); National Newspaper Association (approx. half a mile away); T.B. Sheldon Memorial Auditorium (approx. half a mile away); The G.A. Carlson Lime Kiln (approx. half a mile away); Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Depot (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Red Wing.

Kiwanis Stairway Marker at its base on Barn Bluff image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, October 28, 2018

2. Kiwanis Stairway Marker at its base on Barn Bluff

Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2023, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 178 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 29, 2023, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.