Owatonna is a city in Steele County, located in the state of Minnesota, with a total population of 25.599 residents at the 2010 census. Owatonna is home to the Steele County Fairgrounds, which hosts the Steele County Free Fair in August. Owatonna was first settled in 1853 around the Straight River and was named after the River. Owatonna has developed both economically and politically and it has become an ideal holiday destination for people who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city.
Top Attractions Within Owatonna
Prairie School Bank is a wonderful building in Owatonna, built in the early 1900s. The School Bank is unique due to its architecture that features stained glass, murals and ornate chandeliers. The Owatonna School Bank is called a jewel box of the prairie. There are documents and photographs that take you back to the history of Owatonna, displayed on the wall.
State School Orphanage is a wonderful museum that is set up in several hallways of the building and the exhibits do a wonderful job of presenting the life that the residents of the orphanage faced. Some outbuildings and a cemetery remain from the days of the orphanage. The exhibits are very illuminating and illustrate the life of orphans in Owatonna, in the past. Near the Orphanage there is a playground, where both children and adults can practice their baseball and basketball skills, in special batting cages.
Rice Lake State Park is a wonderful blend of marsh, lakes, meadows and woods, which makes the Park an ideal place for birdwatching. There are also many wonderful hiking and cycling trails, which allow you to enjoy the scenic views. There is also a wonderful lake that spans on a surface of 750 acres. There are a lot of activities that people can do here, such as boating, fishing and camping. You can also rent canoes and kayaks and take a tour of the lake, with your family and friends.
