Winthrop 150 years

     Winthrop started as Pine and was located 2 miles west of its present location.  Pine had a post office from 1855-1859, and was established August 12, 1853 by Iaaish Hearn.  It was renamed Winthrop on June 8, 1861. Winthrop actually started in 1857, a year or so before the railroad came through.  The site was part of a 240 acre tract of land purchased from the government by A. P. Foster, a pioneer surveyor who traveled by cover wagon from Dubuque. When the railroad came through the village, a new era started with stores, a hotel, school, elevator, homes, ect. A fire on New Years day in 1878 destroyed about $8,000 worth of property. when the fire was finally brought under control,the only buildings left standing were those at the extreme corners of the town.