Wilno, Minnesota

Wilno is an unincorporated community located in Royal Township, Lincoln County, Minnesota, United States.

Wilno was laid out in 1883 on land provided by the Chicago and Northwestern railroad to create a Polish settlement.

The community was formed as part of a planned effort between the railroad and leaders of Polish National Alliance (PNA) with the cooperation of the Catholic Church.

R. Byzewski of Winona born in Kashubia and Bishop John Ireland of St. Paul also worked to establish the church.

[6] A common myth is that when the railroad attempted to buy land for right-of-way, two Wilno farmers refused the amount offered.

An aerial view of Wilno, Minnesota. St. John Cantius Church is in the center of the photograph, and has the two tall spires that existed prior to their shortening in the early 1950s. Photo from the St. John Cantius Roman Catholic Church records, Immigration History Research Center Archives , University of Minnesota Libraries .
Map of Minnesota highlighting Lincoln County