Winona is a city in the northeastern portion of Smith County. It was established in 1870 when the Winona Liberty Baptist Church was organized.
The city got its first post office in 1878. In 1892 postmaster James A. Paris reported a population of 150 inhabitants including a dentist, physician, railroad agent, a justice of the peace and more.
Local farmers in the city focused on producing corn and cotton. Unlike most of Smith County, there was little fruit production in Winona.
