Owatonna in Steele County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
History of State School Rock Garden
Photographed By Connor Olson, May 29, 2020
1. History of State School Rock Garden Marker
The story is...that sometime around 1930, a black meteorite fell from the sky in this location. Soon after, Superintendent Merrill, an avid gardener, proceeded to build a rock garden around it. He employed Steve Burzinski of Landscape Nursery, Havana Road, Owatonna, to design the garden, complete with a waterfall and trickling stream. Supposedly, a great deal of money was invested to achieve "the proper look,"
After the institution closed, the rock garden was graded up. It was reconstructed in commemoration of the Owatonna Sesquicentennial and dedicated August 8, 2004. thanks to the efforts of:
Owatonna Foundation, Inc.
State Public School Orphanage Museum Board
West Hills Commission
Erected by Owatonna Foundation, INC., State Public School Orphanage Museum Board, West Hills Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Charity & Public Work. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.
Location. 44° 5.41′ N, 93° 14.26′ W. Marker is in Owatonna, Minnesota, in Steele County. Marker can be reached from West Hills Circle west of State Avenue, on the right when traveling
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. There Were Many...I Was But One (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Minnesota State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children (about 300 feet away); State School Buildings and Grounds (about 300 feet away); State Public School for Dependent & Neglected Children 1886 - 1945 (about 300 feet away); State Schoolers U.S. Military Memorial (about 300 feet away); Main Building (about 300 feet away); History of the State School Root Cellar (approx. 0.2 miles away); History of the State Public School Children’s Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Owatonna.
Also see . . . State School & Orphanage Restoration projects. (Submitted on August 12, 2020, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin.)
Photographed By Connor Olson, May 29, 2020
2. History of State School Rock Garden Marker
Photographed By Connor Olson, May 29, 2020
3. History of State School Rock Garden
Credits. This page was last revised on August 15, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2020, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 186 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 12, 2020, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
