• A Landmark Destination: Opened in 1998 as a Cabela’s flagship, this 150,000-square-foot store transformed Owatonna into a major tourist hub, becoming one of Minnesota’s most visited sites. It pioneered the "retail-as-entertainment" concept, featuring a massive Conservation Mountain with over 100 game mounts and 54,000 gallons of aquarium space stocked with native Minnesota fish.

• The Iconic Bronze Statue: The front of the store is guarded by the monumental bronze "Autumn Legends"

  • Commissioned by Dick Idol and Jim Cabela 

  • Three times life-size, 25 feet tall, 16,000 pounds

  This magnificent bronze sculpture represents two of the biggest white-tailed deer ever recorded in a dramatic, deep descending "S" composition design.  The lead buck's antlers are a replica of sheds found in central Nebraska in 1959 and measure 218 2/8 net typical points(new world record). The rear buck's antlers have been replicated from the No. 1 South Dakota non-typical Whitetail taken in 1949, measuring an amazing 256 1/8 inches. They exemplify the variety and unique characteristics found among whitetails.

• Museum-Quality Taxidermy: The displays are not the work of a single person but a collaboration between elite studios like Wildlife Creations and Animal Artistry. The collection includes "Big Five" African animals and North American predators, featuring both original mounts and world-record replicas (like the Milo Hanson buck) to educate the public on wildlife and conservation.

Key History of the Owatonna Airport Jets:

• The "Buzz" Behind the Jets: R.W. "Buzz" Kaplan, an Army veteran and local aviation enthusiast, led the effort to bring these retired jets to Owatonna.

• Engineering & Design: Each 12,500-pound jet is mounted to steel I-beams, designed to withstand high-velocity winds, with the display base containing 38 tons of concrete and steel.

• Significance: The jets are on loan from the Air Force, with the city responsible for their maintenance, including recent repainting and structural check-ups.

• Origin & Display: Originally displayed at the now-closed Heritage Halls Museum 1/4 mile north, the three T-38 Talons were moved to their permanent, highly visible location at the airport entrance, creating a one-of-a-kind, world-exclusive formation display.

• Airport History: The airport itself was established following World War II, with operations commencing in 1946. The site is known for both these historic jets and its current active, modern airport, and aviation businesses, including Langer Aviation and Accelerated Aviation Instruction

The Minnesota State Public School Orphanage Museum, located in Owatonna, MN, commemorates the over 10,000 dependent, neglected, or abused children housed between 1886 and 1945. Founded in 1992 by former resident Harvey Ronglien, it preserves the history of the institution on the former West Hills Campus. The site features Cottage 11, a children's cemetery, and exhibits detailing daily life and the experiences of "State-Schoolers".

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History of the Institution (1886–1945)

• Purpose: Originally established as the Minnesota State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children, it was designed to be a temporary shelter for children needing a home, rather than a permanent institution.

• The Population: Between 1886 and 1945, 10,635 children were sent there. Despite the name, many were not orphans; they were placed there due to poverty, abuse, illness, or abandonment.

• Life at the School: Children lived in cottages, attended school on-site, and were expected to work.

• Closure: The institution closed in 1945, and the facility was later repurposed for city offices and, eventually, a community center.

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History of the Museum (1992–Present)

• Foundation: The museum was established in 1992 to honor the children who lived there, driven by former resident and advocate Harvey Ronglien.

• Restoration & Growth:

  • 1992: The "State School Kids" Memorial, museum, and cemetery monument were established.

  • 2005-2009: Cottage 11 (formerly Henderson Hall), one of the original boys' cottages, was restored and opened for tours, offering a look at daily life.

  • 2006: Audio stations were installed for guided tours across the grounds.

• Today: The museum is located at 540 West Hills Circle in Owatonna and is open for tours of the museum and Cottage 11 to educate the public on the history of this state-run institution.

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The site serves as a vital record of Minnesota's early approach to child welfare,, and it is a National Register of Historic Places site.

Legend has it…Chief Wabena heard of the curing waters called minnewaucan. His daughter, Princess Owatonna, was very frail so he moved his tribe to the site of the natural springs on the banks of Maple Creek. Princess Owatonna drank from the springs daily and recovered her health. Her kindly spirit hovers near the bubbling waters and beckons weary travelers to pause in the beautiful valley and drink of the magic waters.

True Origins…For hundreds of years before the arrival of the first white settlers, Native Americans camped on the banks of a river they called “Ouitunya,” which means “straight” and is today the name of the major river in Steele County.

Central Park is known as being the heart of our city!

The park was established in 1871, and is fronted by three properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places (National Register):

• National Farmers’ Bank (1907-1908, NHL) on the north

• Steele County Courthouse (1891-1892) on the southeast.

• Firemen’s Hall (1907) on the south.

The fountain was placed in the park in 1874. Originally an oval, the block was squared off in the 1950s due to traffic concerns.

This park is a hub of activity year-round. The community stage was built during the 2004 Sesquicentennial and is modeled after the late 1890s bandstand. Central Park remains a community gathering for:

·       Summer Traditions: From May through October, you’ll find our Farmers Market here every Saturday morning. We also host the 11 @ 7 Concert Series throughout the summer, bringing live music to the square.

• Downtown Thursdays: During the summer months, this area transforms for Downtown Thursdays, featuring local vendors, music, and community fun the first Thursday of each Month June- September.

• The first Friday after Thanksgiving we host the Main Street Lighted Parade, which turns this entire district into a winter wonderland.

Interested in the architectural detail of the bank? Click to watch this video

The National Farmers Bank of Owatonna is much more than a place to store money—it is widely considered one of the most important pieces of architecture in the United States. Built in 1908, it is the masterpiece of Louis Sullivan, the "father of the skyscraper" and mentor to Frank Lloyd Wright.

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It is famously known as the first of Sullivan’s "Jewel Boxes"—a series of small-town banks designed to look like ornate, secure treasure chests.

Why It’s Historically Significant

At a time when most banks were built to look like cold, intimidating Greek temples with white marble columns, the National Farmers Bank was a radical departure.

• The "Form Follows Function" Philosophy: Sullivan believed a building’s design should reflect its purpose. For a bank serving a rural farming community, he wanted something that felt "of the earth" and welcoming, rather than elitist.

• The Collaboration: The bank’s president, Carl Bennett, was a man of artistic taste who specifically sought out Sullivan (whose career was struggling at the time) because he wanted a "work of art" for his community.

• The Cost: It cost approximately $125,000 to build in 1908—an astronomical sum for a small-town bank (roughly equivalent to $25 million today).

Architectural Highlights

The building is a massive "cube" of red brick and sandstone, but its beauty lies in the intricate details:

• The Arches: Two enormous semi-circular arches dominate the exterior, filled with stunning stained glass that bathes the interior in gold and amber light.

• Terra Cotta Ornamentation: The exterior is wrapped in intricate green and blue terra cotta "cartouches" (decorative shields) designed by Sullivan’s associate, George Elmslie.

• The "Electroliers": Inside, the bank features four massive, two-ton cast-iron chandeliers (called electroliers) that look like organic, growing plants.

• Murals: Large murals by Oskar Gross depict scenes of Steele County farm life—harvesting and dairy farming—to honor the bank's patrons.

The Bank Today

Despite the original National Farmers Bank going "belly up" during the agricultural depression of the 1920s, the building has been meticulously preserved and restored.

• Current Use: It is still a functioning bank, currently operating as a branch of Wells Fargo.

• Status: It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976.

• Tourism: People from all over the world travel to Owatonna just to stand in the lobby and experience the "color symphony" Sullivan created.

The historic Owatonna Power Plant was transformed from a functional energy facility into the modern headquarters for Owatonna Public Utilities (OPU).

1. Historical Significance and the 2010 Flood

• A Local Landmark: The Owatonna Power Plant, located along the Straight River, is an iconic Italianate brick building known for its three silver smokestacks and signature red neon (now LED) signage.

• The Catalyst for Change: In September 2010, a devastating flood filled the basement with 12 feet of water, rendering the plant's generators inoperable. Rather than demolishing the structure, OPU chose to renovate and repurpose it.

• Shift in Energy Source: The plant has not produced energy for years; OPU now purchases electricity from the Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA).

2. Architectural Transformation

• Innovative Use of Space: The Leo A Daly Architect design team utilized the "turbine hall"—a massive 50-foot vertical void that once housed boilers—to create a three-story open interior for administrative and customer service offices.

• "Floating" Offices: Architects used the original interior steel structure as "scaffolding" for atrium spaces and offices that cantilever over the ground floor.

• Industrial Preservation: The renovation integrated artifacts from the building's past, including boiler doors, valve covers, and wheels displayed in a gallery. Old bar grating was repurposed as railings, and original window frames were preserved while installing energy-efficient glass.

• Flood Mitigation: To protect against future disasters, the first occupiable floor was raised by one foot, and specialized "flood doors" were installed to allow river water to enter and exit the lower level without disrupting office operations.

3. Project Impact and Recognition

• Top Project Status: The $14 million renovation was recognized as one of the "Top Projects of 2015" by Finance & Commerce.

• Operational Efficiency: Repurposing the building allowed OPU to consolidate its workforce into a single location, improving internal communication and customer service.

• Cultural Preservation: The project is cited as a prime example of "heritage facility" repurposing, where a city chooses to maintain its unique character and architectural history rather than building new.

Morehouse Park and Dam in Owatonna, MN, originate from a 1856 sawmill/flour mill built by Nelson Morehouse on the Straight River, with a concrete dam replacing the original in 1909. The park was established in 1913 when Dr. Guel Morehouse donated 15.7 acres to the city, creating a historic recreational spot for fishing, skating, and picnicking, anchored by the 1964 Warsinski Chalet.

Owatonna.gov 

Key historical points include:

• The Dam's Origins: The dam, first constructed in 1859 for milling, powered a saw and flour mill before being rebuilt in concrete in 1909. The mill was demolished in the late 1930s, but the dam remained, becoming a recreational landmark.

• Park Establishment: In 1913, Dr. Guel Morehouse and his wife, Margaret, donated the land to the city to be used as a park forever, with the Owatonna city government acquiring further adjacent land over the years.

• Development & Use: The site served as a hub for recreation, including a beach, swimming, and, historically, as a home to the Campbell Cereal Company (Malt-O Meal) from 1925-1927.

• Modern Era: The Dam Preservation Corporation completed improvements on the dam around 2012 to maintain its structural integrity and historical value. Today, it features the Warsinski Chalet (built in 1964), which serves as a warming house for ice skating on the river.

n 1962 the Society was offered the Saco Church located 7 miles southwest of Owatonna, and with the support of the Steele County Agricultural Society, the Society permanently leased a portion of the southeast section of the fairgrounds to begin a pioneer village.   The original layout was similar to the center of Owatonna and its Central Park, which was originally circular. Thus was established the Village of Yesteryear, which has grown in the years since through the additional move of historic structures, as well as museum buildings built on site.

History Center:

          Tuesday - Friday: 10 am - 4 pm

          Saturday: 10 am - 3 pm

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Village of Yesteryear:

          Open to walk through Year Round

          Tours (May 1 - Sept 30): Tuesday - Sunday at 1:30 pm

The new 317,000-square-foot Owatonna High School, which opened in 2023, is a 3-story facility designed for 1,600 students with a focus on career readiness and "learning on display" through glass-walled classrooms. The $126 million project features state-of-the-art vocational labs, extensive athletic facilities, and a central 3-story commons, funded in part by local business partnerships.

Key Facility Features

• Academic & Tech Labs: Includes a nursing classroom with a realistic hospital room, metal/wood fabrication shops, a culinary lab, a hydroponics greenhouse, a, and a media center.

• Common Areas: A three-story, light-filled commons and cafeteria, featuring "Learning Stairs" for gathering.

• Performing Arts: An 825-seat auditorium with an orchestra pit, along with a scene shop and green room.

• Athletics & Fitness: A 3,451-seat football stadium, two gymnasiums, an indoor walking track, eight tennis courts, and multiple grass/synthetic turf fields.

• Weight Room: Equipped with specialized Hammer Strength Equipment.

• Design & Safety: The building is designed for high security with modern, open, and flexible learning spaces.

The school was constructed by Kraus Anderson and features significant design input from local partners like Federated Insurance, Life Fitness, Mayo Clinic Health System, Viracon and Wenger Corporation.