On County Highway 40 0.2 miles south of Rose Street (County Highway 19), on the right when traveling south.
Rice Lake was named for the wild rice that was harvested here until the late 1800s. Bountiful resources in the area provided a place Native Americans called home for thousands of years. The park was established in 1963 to meet the demand for local . . . — — Map (db m196839) HM
Near N. Main St 0.1 miles north of E. Central Ave..
Moved to this site, October, 1995, from 203 2nd St. N.W. this stone was used for putting one's foot on it when descending from a wagon or carriage originally installed, July, 1914 in front of the WH. Miner home as part of the 146' sidewalk . . . — — Map (db m101283) HM
Near West Hills Circle west of State Avenue, on the right when traveling south.
The rock garden holds special memories for many of the children who lived on these grounds.
The story is...that sometime around 1930, a black meteorite fell from the sky in this location. Soon after, Superintendent Merrill, an avid gardener, . . . — — Map (db m154625) HM
Near Ronglein Lane east of Florence Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
1886-1945 - During the 59 year history of the State Public School for
Dependent and Neglected Children, over 300 children died while under state
guardianship; 198 are buried in this cemetery, unclaimed by family. Some were
buried under the cover . . . — — Map (db m168022) HM
On Ronglien Lane 0.1 miles east of Florence Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
This root cellar is a historic treasure. Vegetables grown in the large garden were stored until prepared for consumption by the children and staff.
The north half was constructed in 1898. Craftsmen meticulously lined the inside
walls and arched . . . — — Map (db m168020) HM
On West Hills Circle 0.1 miles west of State Avenue, on the right when traveling south.
This Main Building, built in 1886, served as the "nerve center" for the State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children during its 60-year history. From 1945-1970, it served as the Owatonna State School, an institution for educable mentally . . . — — Map (db m196948) HM
This Garden is dedicated in loving memory of Maxine Ronglien - wife, mother, co-founder of the Minnesota State Public School Orphanage Museum, and avid gardener. As the wife of State Schooler Harvey Ronglien, she understood the effects of . . . — — Map (db m312864) HM
Near Interstate 35, on the right when traveling south.
Early settlers grew bumper wheat crops on southern Minnesota’s fertile prairies, land that today supplies produce for a thriving 270-million-dollar-a-year canning industry.
Sweet corn canneries opened in Austin and Mankato in the early 1880s, . . . — — Map (db m206900) HM
On West Hills Circle, on the right when traveling north.
This property has been placed in the
National Register of Historic Places
by the United States Department of Interior
Listed as historic district:
December 28, 2010
This post-civil war public institution played an important . . . — — Map (db m120806) HM
Near Interstate 35 at milepost 35, 2.2 miles north of 93rd Street Southwest (County Highway 4), on the right when traveling north.
During its first session in 1858 the Minnesota State Legislature established the first of several schools for the training and care of citizens who suffered mental and physical disabilities and for children who were unable to care for themselves. . . . — — Map (db m26252) HM
On East Park Square at Broadway Street, on the left when traveling north on East Park Square.
Banker Carl Bennett wanted more than a prominent new building to house his family's business. He wanted a work of art. Bennett's search for an architect led him in 1906 to Louis Sullivan, one of the country' most inventive designers. Together they . . . — — Map (db m23241) HM
On State Avenue at West Hills Circle, on the right when traveling south on State Avenue.
State Schoolers had chores of all kinds. These boys are gathering apples from the State School Orchard. Many of these apples would be stored in the Root Cellar for consumption in the winter.
Several young Wards of the State receiving . . . — — Map (db m308771) HM
Near W. Hills Circle, on the right when traveling south.
Cottage 11, referred to as the "New Cottage." This building is now restored and open to the public for tours. Check the porch entrance for hours of operation.
Boys at Work
Boys at Play
Cottage 11 Boys
The Farmer's . . . — — Map (db m310230) HM
On Riverside Drive 0.1 miles north of Hillsdale Street, on the left when traveling south.
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 . . . — — Map (db m23173) HM
On West Hills Circle 0.1 miles west of State Avenue, on the right when traveling south.
You are on the campus of the former State Public School for Dependent & Neglected Children. This state orphanage existed from 1886 to 1945. During its 60 year history, 10,635 orphaned, dependent, and neglected children were placed here. By the . . . — — Map (db m196939) HM
On West Hills Circle 0.1 miles west of State Avenue, on the right when traveling south.
Originally housed on 160 acres, the grounds grew to 329 acres by 1937 with 42 acres for campus and 287 acres for cultivation.
The orphanage was virtually self-sufficient. Children were housed in 16 cottages. Other buildings included a nursery, . . . — — Map (db m196940) HM
On West Hills Circle north of Dunnell Drive, on the right when traveling north.
In honor of all "State Schoolers" who served in the U.S. Military and those listed below known to have given their lives in defense of our country
1886-1970
Harold Betin ·
Marvin Charnell ·
Edward Fuller ·
Owen Garlinghouse ·
Howard . . . — — Map (db m196945) WM
On West Frontage Road (County Road 23) 0.8 miles north of 26 Street NW, on the right when traveling south.
In 1996, the City of Owatonna acquired one of these jet planes from the U.S. Air Force to be used as a monument at the airport. The cost of the project exceeded the City's budget at that time, and the plane was put in storage.
In 1997, R.W. . . . — — Map (db m140965) HM
On West Frontage Road (County Road 23) 0.8 miles north of 26th Street NW, on the right when traveling south.
After Heritage Halls closed in 2001, the future of the museum was unclear, and the City of Owatonna felt the planes should be moved. The Owatonna airport was the natural and appropriate location for the jets. Buzz Kaplan had spent many hours at . . . — — Map (db m140969) HM
On West Hills Circle 0.1 miles west of State Avenue, on the right when traveling south.
During my 11 years at the State Public School, these hills were alive with energetic and rambunctious children. Almost every day children would be placed out. New ones replaced those who left. From all over the state they came - every race, color, . . . — — Map (db m196942) HM
Steele County was officially established in February of 1855 and was
named in honor of Franklin Steele, a government contractor and a man of
prominence in the territory, Owatonna was then platted out as the
County In 1860, the population of . . . — — Map (db m282973) HM
We the people of Steele County honor all veterans and volunteers who served our country and time of war and peace
Remember our prisoners of war
Remember our missing in action — — Map (db m284934) WM
