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

Outdoor Audio Tour Station 1 of 6

Minnesota State Public School Orphanage Museum

Photographed by McGhiever, October 3, 2025

1. Outdoor Audio Tour Station 1 of 6 Marker

Inscription.

Tour system established 2005 thanks to our many supporters.
Expansion in 2011 made possible by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment.

Your host for the Outside Audio Tour, Harvey Ronglien. Harvey is pictured here with the Children's Memorial in 1993.

Three Wards standing east of the Chapel. Hospital is in the background.

Photo of the Nursery and the 1898 School.

A Ward of the State on a horse drawn lawn mower, circa 1900.

1938 photograph of the entire school, including employees and Wards of the State.

Photograph of the original Rock Garden.

Photographs of two State School Employees
(Top) Head Nurse, Dorothea Putter
(Bottom) State Agent, Mr. Jaeger

Directions to the next station:
The next Audio Station is located near the former location of the 1898 School, note the location on the map. To get there walk towards the Rock Garden, continue past it, and cross the road to the sidewalk. Turn right and head towards State Avenue. When you reach State Avenue, turn left, proceed a short distance and turn left again (on the first sidewalk). The Station is straight ahead.

This picture is likely taken from the bell tower on the 1898 School House shortly after its construction. Please note the location of the Power House and Dairy Barn in this picture compared with the location in the 1930's, as represented on the map provided.

The playground located between Cottages 1 & 2

Cottages 6 Boys

Erected by the

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Minnesota State Public School Orphanage Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education.

Location. 44° 5.381′ N, 93° 14.266′ W. Marker is in Owatonna, Minnesota, in Steele County. It is on W. Hills Circle, on the left when traveling south. The marker is across the parking lot from the northeast corner of the main building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 565 W Hills Circle, 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: Minnesota State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children (within shouting distance of this marker); There Were Many...I Was But One (within shouting distance of this

Outdoor Audio Tour Station 1 of 6 Marker and the State School Administration Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, October 3, 2025

2. Outdoor Audio Tour Station 1 of 6 Marker and the State School Administration Building

marker); State Schoolers U.S. Military Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); State School Buildings and Grounds (within shouting distance of this marker); State Public School for Dependent & Neglected Children 1886 - 1945 (within shouting distance of this marker); Main Building (within shouting distance of this marker); History of State School Rock Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Maxine Ronglien (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Owatonna.

Also see . . . Station 1 audio. (Submitted on October 29, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 29, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.