Owatonna in Steele County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Rock Island Railway Station 1901

Owatonna, Minnesota 1985

Photographed by Thomas Onions, September 20, 2009

1. Rock Island Railway Station 1901 Marker

Inscription. Once on this site there stood a beautiful red brick and limestone railway station that was part of the great Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway System. It was a stately building that served our community and the Rock Island System proudly for over 60 years. Its' demise was premature and unfortunate; however its' importance and historic legacy is secure. It was an invaluable contributor to the growth and history of all of Owatonna and Steele County.

Built around 1900, it served as both a passenger and freight depot. It saw men and women off to serve their country in World War I, World War II, the Korean conflict and Vietnam. Some inevitably saw their families here for the last time. It was the site of several Presidential visits, including Taft, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Truman, and Eisenhower. It was a gathering place to a myriad of people traveling to destinations all over the United States. Open at all hours of the day, every day of the year it always provided warmth and security to many a weary traveler.

It is for these reasons that we erect this monument to commemorate this site and remember the people that

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passed through its' doors on their life's journeys and also to honor the people that were a part of the great Rock Island Railway System.

Our heartfelt thanks to our contributors:
The Owatonna Foundation
Owatonna, Clinton Falls, and Northern Railway System
Steele County Historical Society
Martin's Cycling and Fitness
The City of Owatonna
Fame Awards
Southern Minnesota Construction Company
Owatonna Chamber of Commerce
Rock Island System

Erected 1985.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #27 William Howard Taft, the Former U.S. Presidents: #32 Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Former U.S. Presidents: #33 Harry S. Truman, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #34 Dwight D. Eisenhower series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. 44° 5.214′ N, 93° 13.872′ W. Marker is in Owatonna, Minnesota, in Steele County. It is on Riverside Drive 0.1 miles north of Hillsdale Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal

Photographed by Thomas Onions, September 20, 2009

2. Rock Island Railway Station 1901 Marker

Marker on Limestone

address: 300 Riverside Drive, Owatonna MN 55060, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Minnesota.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: National Farmer's Bank of Owatonna (approx. 0.3 miles away); Steele County Veterans (approx. 0.3 miles away); Steele County Courthouse (approx. 0.4 miles away); State Schoolers U.S. Military Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Minnesota State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children (approx. 0.4 miles away); Main Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); State Public School for Dependent & Neglected Children 1886 - 1945 (approx. 0.4 miles away); State School Buildings and Grounds (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Owatonna.

More about this marker. Parking is along Riverside Drive.

Also see . . . Owatonna Chamber of Commerce & Tourism.

Photographed by Thomas Onions, September 20, 2009

3. Rock Island Railway Station 1901 Marker

Area photo of marker

Link to the official site. (Submitted on October 11, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 20, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas. This page has been viewed 1,630 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 11, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.