GOODVIEW

A short history of Goodview

The area was first inhabited by the Dakota. When neighboring Winona was founded in 1851, Chief Wabasha III used the area that is now Goodview as a camping site near the settlers. Following the Dakota's expulsion, the land became home to watermelon farms. Much of the land was bought by Clarence F. Witt, who in the 1940s began suburban development, then calling it the 'Goodview Subdivision'. The referendum was successful. Goodview's decision to incorporate was so that it could manage its own snow removal, as the township government had only one snowplow. The township board, nor the Winona city council, had any interest in that lack of snow removal service that the subdivision received. The mayor of Winona remarked “We’ll just let spring take care of your problem,” which caused outrage among Goodview residents. It is not known whether the comment was made seriously or as a joke. In August 1946, a referendum was held to separate from Winona Township and incorporate as the Village of Goodview. Over 90% of residents voted in favor of seceding and incorporating.

Goodview was initially dependent on Winona State University for education. When a 1966 law was passed that made Goodview part of the Winona School District, the residents of Goodview were strongly against the change as heavy taxes to fund the construction of a high school in Winona were levied. In 1969, the village held a referendum to establish its own school district, which passed with 98% of the vote. The high voter turnout against Winona was seen by residents as "getting even" for being ignored prior to incorporation. Goodview became a city on January 1, 1974. The city grew, annexing more land in 2000, 2003, and 2008.

Adapted (trimmed) from the Wikipedia article Goodview, Minnesota, revision 1381634174 by its contributors, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.