Owatonna, Minnesota
Location of Owatonna, Minnesota
Coordinates: 44°5′14″N 93°13′28″W / 44.08722, -93.22444
Country	United States
State	Minnesota
County	Steele
Area
- Total	12. Wikipedia talkFeatured lists for an explanation of this and other inclusion tags below -->This list of countries, arranged alphabetically The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The political units and divisions of the United States include The 50 states (four of these being officially styled as Commonwealths) which are typically Minnesota ( Native Americans demonstrated the name to early settlers This is a List of counties in Minnesota. There are 87 counties in the U Steele County is a County located in the US state of Minnesota. Area is a Quantity expressing the two- Dimensional size of a defined part of a Surface, typically a region bounded by a closed Curve. 7 sq mi (32. The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. 8 km²)
- Land	12. Square Kilometre ( US spelling square kilometer) symbol km2, is a decimal multiple of the SI unit of 6 sq mi (32. 6 km²)
- Water	0. 1 sq mi (0. 2 km²)
Elevation	1,152 ft (351 m)
Population (2000)
- Total	24,533
- Density	1,779. The elevation of a Geographic location is its height above a fixed reference point often the mean sea level. A foot (plural feet or foot; symbol or abbreviation ft or sometimes &prime – the prime symbol) is a non-SI unit The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume 9/sq mi (687. 2/km²)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
- Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	55060
Area code(s)	507
FIPS code	27-49300[1]
GNIS feature ID	0649095[2]

Owatonna is a city in Steele County, Minnesota, United States. The Central Time Zone observes Standard time by subtracting six hours from UTC during standard time ( UTC−6) and five hours during Daylight saving Areas using UTC−6 Single zone countries Belize Costa Rica El Salvador Guatemala Daylight saving time ( DST UTC−5 is the Time offset used in the North American Eastern Time Zone during Standard time and in the North American Central Time Zone during The ZIP code is the system of Postal codes used by the United States Postal Service (USPS A telephone numbering plan is a plan for allocating Telephone number ranges to countries regions areas and exchanges and to non-fixed telephone networks Area code 507 is the Telephone numbering plan code for the southern 1/5th of Minnesota, including cities such as Rochester, Mankato, Worthington Federal Information Processing Standards ( FIPS) are publicly announced standards developed by the United States Federal government for use by all non-military The Geographic Names Information System ( GNIS) is a database that contains name and locative information about more than two million physical and cultural features located throughout A city is an Urban area with a large Population and a particular Administrative, Legal, or Historical status Steele County is a County located in the US state of Minnesota. Minnesota ( Native Americans demonstrated the name to early settlers The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The population was 22,434 at the 2000 census. In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology It is the county seat of Steele County. A county seat is a term for an Administrative center for a County, primarily used in the United States. Steele County is a County located in the US state of Minnesota. Owatonna is home to the Steele County Fairgrounds, which hosts the Steele County Free Fair in August. The Steele County Free Fair in held each year in Owatonna, the county seat of Steele County Minnesota, is the largest free County Fair in the

Interstate 35 and U. Interstate 35 (I-35 is a north–south Interstate highway in the central United States. S. Routes 14, and 218 are three of the main arterial routes in the city. US Route 14 ( US 14) an east-west route is one of the original United States highways of 1926 US Highway 218 is a spur of US Highway 18. It is one of the original United States Highways of 1926

History

Mineral Springs Park, Owatonna, MN

Owatonna was first settled in 1853 around the Straight River, which is anything but straight. The Straight River is a Tributary of the Cannon River, 45 miles (73 km long in southeastern Minnesota in the United States. Local legend suggests that the name "Owatonna" is also an ironic name for the river, but that the term "Ouitunya" ("straight") refers to the "morally strong traders" and not the rather whimsically winding river.

In 1883, Owatonna was the site of the State Fair and soon the county established its own fair in Owatonna, the Steele County Free Fair or SCFF, the largest free fair in Minnesota. The Steele County Free Fair in held each year in Owatonna, the county seat of Steele County Minnesota, is the largest free County Fair in the

All the attention on the area in the late 1800s caused the city administration (and a fly-by-night corporation from which the city administrators profited) to devise a tourism and bottled water scheme in which a story centered around a "Princess Owatonna" was concocted. Bottled water is Drinking water packaged in Bottles for individual consumption and retail sale According to the story, Princess Owatonna, daughter of Chief Wabena, fell ill. She was so ill she couldn't lift her head to drink the smallest pool of water. The chief had heard of the wonderful curative effects of water bubbling from the ground in what is now Owatonna, and decided that only their magical restorative properties could save his daughter. After being given the water by her father, Princess Owatonna was miraculously cured, lending her name and image to both the town and the newly minted bottled water company. A statue of the princess appears in Owatonna's Mineral Springs Park, next to Maple Creek, a tributary of the Straight River, and a fountain where visitors can see the springs and drink the water that saved Princess Owatonna. A tributary is a Stream or River which flows into a mainstem (or parent river A traditional fountain is an arrangement where water issues from a source ( Latin fons) fills a basin of some kind and is drained away

The Minnesota State School for Dependent and Neglected Children was built in 1886. The Minnesota State School for Dependent and Neglected Children was located in Owatonna, Minnesota from 1886 to 1945. The school took in orphans from around the state and taught them "the value of drill, discipline and labor. An orphan (from the Greek ὀρφανός) is a child whose natural parents are absent or dead and who are not there to bring him up " The children who died in the institution were interred in the graveyard behind the school. In 1945, the orphanage was closed and the facility began to serve handicapped children. In 1974, the City purchased the compound for its office space. Renamed "West Hills," it continues to serve as the city's administration complex and home to many nonprofit civic organizations including a senior activity center, the Owatonna Arts Center, two nonprofit day care centers, a chemical dependency halfway house, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters, among others.

Economy

The Owatonna Power Plant is a city landmark.

Owatonna is an economic center of Southern Minnesota, with diverse industries. Federated Insurance is the largest employer with 1521 employees, followed by Viracon which has 1434 employees. ^[3] Both have their headquarters in Owatonna. Other large employers in the community are SPX Corporation, Jostens[5], Cabela's, Truth Hardware, ISD 761, Wenger Corporation, Owatonna Clinic - Mayo Health Systems, and Owatonna Hospital - Allina Hospitals And Clinics. SPX Corporation ( is a Fortune 500 company founded in 1911 and is based in Charlotte North Carolina, United States. Jostens is an American company that produces Class rings ref> for various High schools and Colleges as well as Championship rings Cabela's ( is a Sidney Nebraska -based direct marketer and specialty retailer of Hunting, Fishing, Camping and related outdoor recreation

Recently Owatonna has seen a large amount of commercial growth, with the arrival of well-known retail and restaurant chains. Some of these are Lowe's, Fleet Farm, Kohl’s, OfficeMax, MGM Liquors, Slumber Land Furniture Outlet, Starbucks Coffee, Caribou Coffee, Dunn Bros. Coffee, Papa Murphy's, Wendy's, Famous Dave’s, and Timber Lodge Steak House.

Government

Owatonna is governed by a Mayor and City Council. As of 2007 its mayor is Thomas Kuntz. [6]

The city is located in Minnesota’s 26th District, represented by Senator Dick Day, a Republican, who was first elected to the state senate in 1990 and has been reelected five times. Richard "Dick" Day is an American politician Day is a Republican member of the Minnesota Senate first elected November 6, In 1998, Senator Day was elected leader of his caucus. He currently sits on the Business, Industry and Jobs Finance; Transportation Budget and Policy Division; State and Local Government Operations and Oversight; and Transportation Committees.

Owatonna also lies in House District 26A, represented by State Representative Connie Ruth, a Republican. She was first elected to that office in 2000, and is currently in her fourth term. Representative Ruth sits on the following committees: Biosciences and Emerging Technology; Education Finance and Economic Competitiveness Finance Division; Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division; Transportation and Transit Policy Subcommittee; and Transportation Finance Division.

Owatonna is located in Minnesota's 1st congressional district, represented by Mankato educator Tim Walz, a Democrat. Minnesota's First Congressional District extends across southern Minnesota from the border with South Dakota to the border with Wisconsin. Timothy J Walz (born April 6, 1964) is an American politician. The Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL is a major Political party in the US state of Minnesota.

Education

Sites of Interest

National Farmers Bank

Owatonna's classic bank

In the middle of Owatonna's downtown is the National Farmer's Bank, widely recognized as one of the premier pieces of the "Prairie School of Architecture" in America. The term public school has two distinct (and virtually opposite meanings depending on the location of usage in the United States, Australia and Primary education is the first stage of Compulsory education. Middle school or Junior High School serves as a "bridge" between the Elementary School and the High School High school is the name used in some parts of the world (in particular Scotland, North America and Australia) to describe an institution For the film of this title see Private School (film. Private schools, or Independent schools are Schools not administered Higher education is Education that is provided by universities, vocational universities, Community colleges Liberal arts colleges Concordia University is a comprehensive Public university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Crown College is a Christian college located in St Bonifacius, Minnesota. Minnesota State University Mankato is a four-year university located in Mankato Minnesota. Riverland Community College is a community college that is part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. Southwest Minnesota State University is a public, four-year university that is part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. The University of St Thomas (also known as UST or simply St Thomas) is a coeducational archdiocesan Roman Catholic institution of Not to be confused with Pillsbury College & Seminary (formerly Pillsbury Institute St The National Farmers' Bank of Owatonna, Minnesota is a bank building designed by Louis Sullivan with decorative elements by George Elmslie Prairie School was a late 19th and early 20th century architectural style most common to the Midwestern United States. The term architecture (from Greek αρχιτεκτονικήarchitektoniki) can be used to mean a process a profession or documentation Designed by Louis Sullivan, the building was finished in 1908 and features gold leaf arches, stained glass windows, and nouveau baroque art designs. Louis Henri Sullivan (September 4 1856 &ndash April 14 1924 was an American Architect, and has been called the "father of modernism. For the Blackford Oakes novel see Stained Glass (novel The term stained glass refers either to the material of coloured Glass or to the art It is on the National Register of Historic Places and is now occupied by a branch of Wells Fargo Bank. The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP is the United States government's official list of districts sites buildings structures and objects deemed worthy of Wells Fargo & Co ( is a diversified Financial services company headquartered in San Francisco California, United States with operations around the

State School Museum

The State School Museum[7] is located at West Hills on the grounds of the former state orphanage, the Minnesota State School for Dependent and Neglected Children. The Minnesota State School for Dependent and Neglected Children was located in Owatonna, Minnesota from 1886 to 1945.

Sports and Recreation

Junior Hockey

The Owatonna Express is a junior hockey team who play at Four Seasons Center and are a member of the North American Hockey League. The Owatonna Express are a Junior A Ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's central division and play out of Four Seasons Centre Junior hockey is a catch-all term used to describe various levels of Ice hockey competition for players generally between the ages of 16 and 20 years old see also North American Hockey League (1973–1977 The North American Hockey League (NAHL and the defunct America West Hockey League Although having a similar name and logo, this teams is unrelated to the former Southern Minnesota Express, that relocated to Michigan to become the Motor City Machine. The Owatonna Express are a Junior A Ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's central division and play out of Four Seasons Centre The team is named the Owatonna Express instead of the Southern Minnesota Express because, "With the new team in Albert Lea joining the North American Hockey League this season, and others in the Twin Cities and Rochester possibly coming into the fray in the next few years, the Express are no longer the sole owners of southern Minnesota. " ^[4] The Express begin play in the 2008-2009 season. ^[5]

Therapeutic Recreation Department - "Friday Camp"

Friday camp is a local camp for kids with disabilities that occurs during the summer. It began in 2000 under Wendy Reller, Head of the Therapeutic Recreation Department in Owatonna, MN. As one can tell by the name, Friday camp is a camp that is on Fridays and meets at Lake Kohlmier (which is located by Kaplan's Woods).

Camp begins at 9:30 a. m. with group time. This is when the campers have a snack and learn about that day's topic. Topics range from insects to birds to trees and even the 4th of July. Insects ( Class Insecta) are a major group of Arthropods and the most diverse group of Animals on the Earth with over a million described Birds ( class Aves) are bipedal endothermic ( Warm-blooded) Vertebrate animals that lay eggs. A tree is a perennial Woody plant. It is most often defined as a woody plant that has many secondary branches supported clear of the ground on a single main stem or Events 836 - Pactum Sicardi, peace between the Principality of Benevento and the Duchy of Naples After this, the campers walk to the boat landing to participate in a game such as kick-the-can, kickball, or spud. When the game is through, the campers usually venture over to Reed's Island where they bask in the beautiful surroundings. Next, the campers walk back to camp to make a project for Arts and Crafts time. After the campers finish with their crafts, they have lunch. Usually after lunch, one of the counselors will talk more about that day's topic and a game follows. Next, the campers write in their journals and when they finish this, it is usually time for "Water Fun". During Water Fun time, the campers can take the paddle boats out on the lake, they could go fishing at the dock, or they can hang out at the beach and play. Only during the last day of camp are the campers allowed to go swimming.

If it happens to rain on a Friday that camp meets, there is a rain plan where alternate activities are scheduled (such as going to the Art center, Bowling Alley, Holiday Inn Waterpark). During 2007, twenty-two children showed up for Friday camp, which had four counselors working. Friday camp is only on Fridays since summer school runs Monday through Thursday.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12. The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title) is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census 7 square miles (32. The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. 8 km²), of which, 12. Square Kilometre ( US spelling square kilometer) symbol km2, is a decimal multiple of the SI unit of 6 square miles (32. 6 km²) of it is land and 0. 1 square miles (0. 2 km²) of it (0. 55%) is water. The oldest part of the city (including the downtown area) is located on a low lying area on the eastern bank of the Straight River, extending towards the south from Maple Creek. Straight River may refer to Straight River (central Minnesota, a tributary of the Fish Hook River Straight River (southern Minnesota The city has grown in all directions, and now lies on both sides of the river, as well as above the ridge north of Maple Creek. Significant growth in recent years has occurred to the northeast, where homes have been built along the ravine of Maple Creek as well as alongside Brooktree Golf Course, to the north, and to the southeast. Geographical landmarks of note include Kaplan's Woods, a hardwood nature preserve on the southern border of the city, Cinder Hill, a steep 60 foot hill on Linn Avenue overlooking downtown that is used by local athletes for training, the Straight River dam, originally used to power a mill and now reconstructed to include a fish ladder, and the Forest Hill Cemetery, an old wooded cemetery on the ridge to the north of Maple Creek that marks the boundary between the oldest parts of the city and more recent developments. Straight River may refer to Straight River (central Minnesota, a tributary of the Fish Hook River Straight River (southern Minnesota

Demographics

As of the census^[1] of 2000, there were 22,434 people, 8,704 households, and 5,936 families residing in the city. A census is the procedure of acquiring information about every member of a given population The population density was 1,779. Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume 9 people per square mile (687. 4/km²). There were 8,940 housing units at an average density of 709. 3/sq mi (273. 9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94. 09% White, 1. 56% African American, 0. 13% Native American, 0. 99% Asian, 0. 03% Pacific Islander, 1. 92% from other races, and 1. 27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4. 31% of the population.

There were 8,704 households out of which 35. 4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56. 5% were married couples living together, 8. NOTICE TO WOULD-BE ROMEOS ************** 4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31. 8% were non-families. 26. 6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10. 5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2. 52 and the average family size was 3. 08.

In the city the population was spread out with 28. 1% under the age of 18, 8. 4% from 18 to 24, 29. 8% from 25 to 44, 20. 8% from 45 to 64, and 12. 9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 95. 0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90. 5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,660, and the median income for a family was $54,883. Males had a median income of $37,691 versus $25,511 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,513. Per capita income means how much each individual receives in monetary terms of the yearly income generated in the country About 4. 3% of families and 6. 6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7. The poverty threshold, or poverty line, is the minimum level of Income deemed necessary to achieve an adequate Standard of living in a given country 9% of those under age 18 and 6. 9% of those age 65 or over.

Culture and Society

Parts of the 1995 movie Angus were filmed in and around Owatonna, including Owatonna High School and its football team. Angus is a 1995 Comedy-drama film directed by Patrick Read Johnson and written by Jill Gordon ^[6]

In 1974, the City of Owatonna purchased the campus of the former Minnesota State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children, which had been in operation from 1886 until 1945. The site was renamed West Hills, and now serves as an administrative center for the City of Owatonna, as well as housing several non-profit organizations in the various historic buildings, including the Owatonna Arts Center. ^[7]

Notable natives

• Karyn Stordahl-Utecht, Miss Minnesota 2005 and contestant of The Golf Channel's reality series The Big Break VI: Trump National in 2006. For the state pageant affiliated with Miss USA, see Miss Minnesota USA The Miss Minnesota competition is the pageant that selects the representative for The Golf Channel, sometimes abbreviated as TGC, is an American Cable television network with coverage focused on the game of Golf. The Big Break VI Trump National was the sixth edition of The Golf Channel 's popular Reality television series The Big Break. Graduate of Owatonna High School.
• Ken Christianson, Artist and Musician, graduate of Owatonna Senior High. Ken Christianson is a Musician and Artist living in Los Angeles, California U
• Masanori Mark Christianson, Art Director and Musician, graduate of Owatonna Senior High. Masanori Mark Christianson (born Masanori Shirota, January 18, 1976 in Ōmori, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese American
• Casey Driessen, fiddler. Casey Christopher Driessen (b Owatonna, Minnesota, United States, December 6, 1978) is an American bluegrass Fiddler
• Theodore Marcus Hansen, Lutheran pastor and educator, pastor in Owatonna from 1948-1952. Theodore Marcus Hansen ( May 25, 1886 – February 5, 1973) was a Danish-American Lutheran pastor educator and church
• Har Mar Superstar, musician and songwriter, was born in Owatonna. Sean Tillmann (born on 6 February 1978 in Owatonna, Minnesota) better known by his stage names of Har Mar Superstar and Sean
• Mike Hegstrand, Professional Wrestler, Hawk, One half of the Road Warriors, 1958-2003. Michael James Hegstrand ( September 12 1957 – October 19 2003) was an American professional wrestler. Born in Owatonna, Resided on Xerxes Ave.
• Don Laughlin, founder of the resort town of Laughlin, Nevada, born and raised in Owatonna. Don Laughlin (born 1931 is a gaming entrepreneur hotelier and rancher for whom the town of Laughlin Nevada is named Laughlin is a Census-designated place (CDP in Clark County, Nevada, United States. Nevada ( is a state located in the western region of the United States of America.
• E.G. Marshall, known for his role as the nervous Juror #3 in the Henry Fonda classic, 12 Angry Men and as the lead in the TV series The Defenders, was born in Owatonna on June 18th, 1910. E G Marshall ( June 18 1914 - August 24 1998) was a two-time Emmy Award -winning American Actor who co-starred Henry Jaynes Fonda ( May 16, 1905 – August 12, 1982) was an American Academy Award -winning Film and The Defenders is an American courtroom drama series which ran on CBS from 1961 &ndash 1965.
• Craig Minowa, rising musician star, lead singer of Cloud Cult, & also founder of Minnesota record label Earthology records. Cloud Cult is an experimental Indie rock band from Minneapolis, Minnesota led by singer/songwriter Craig Minowa.
• Ted Nesseth, Musician and Songwriter, graduate of Owatonna Senior High.
• Kari Schroht Reuvers, 1978 Princess Kay of the Milky Way
• Harry Williams, the author of the World War I and World War II classic song, "It's a Long Way to Tipperary", and sometime director for Mack Sennett graduated from Pillsbury Military Academy. Princess Kay of the Milky Way is the title awarded to the winner of the state-wide Minnesota Dairy Princess Program, an annual pageant competition organized by the Midwest Harry Williams may refer to Harry Williams (songwriter (1879–1922 American composer and lyricist Harry Williams (American football World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including " It's a Long Way to Tipperary " is a British Music hall and marching Song written by Jack Judge and Harry Williams (Henry Mack Sennett ( January 17, 1880 &ndash November 5, 1960) was an Academy Award -winning director and was known as the innovator Not to be confused with Pillsbury College & Seminary (formerly Pillsbury Institute St
• Travis Wiuff, a. Travis "Diesel" Wiuff (born March 15, 1978) born in USA is a Mixed martial arts fighter k. a "Diesel", MMA fighter, UFC
• Kathy Zeman, 1976 Princess Kay of the Milky Way
• Roger H. Princess Kay of the Milky Way is the title awarded to the winner of the state-wide Minnesota Dairy Princess Program, an annual pageant competition organized by the Midwest Tenney, 1967 national Teacher of the Year

References

External links

• City of Owatonna Website
• Music Boosters of Owatonna
• Owatonna Development
• City of Owatonna Police Website
• Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism
• Finding Minnesota: Owatonna Video from WCCO news profiling the legend of Owatonna
• A Sweet Spot Worth A Stop In Owatonna Video from WCCO news featuring local institution: Costas' Restaurant & Candies