Owatonna, Minnesota
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Owatonna is a city located in Steele County, Minnesota. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 22,434. It is the county seat of Steele County6.
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Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 32.8 km² (12.7 mi²). 32.6 km² (12.6 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.55% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 22,434 people, 8,704 households, and 5,936 families residing in the city. The population density is 687.4/km² (1,779.9/mi²). There are 8,940 housing units at an average density of 273.9/km² (709.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 94.09% White, 1.56% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.99% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.92% from other races, and 1.27% from two or more races. 4.31% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 8,704 households out of which 35.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.5% are married couples living together, 8.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% are non-families. 26.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.52 and the average family size is 3.08.
In the city the population is spread out with 28.1% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $45,660, and the median income for a family is $54,883. Males have a median income of $37,691 versus $25,511 for females. The per capita income for the city is $20,513. 6.6% of the population and 4.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 7.9% of those under the age of 18 and 6.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
History
Owatonna was first settled in 1853 around the ironically named Straight River, soon after Minnesota entered the union. Apparently even the Native Americans of the area were in on the joke because the name "Owatonna" translates to "Straight River". In 1883, Owatonna was the site of the State Fair and soon the county established its own fair in Owatonna, the Steele County Free Fair or SCFF, the largest free fair in Minnesota. The State School for Dependant and Neglected Children was built in 1886, and opened a dark chapter in Owatonna's history. The school took in orphans and the handicapped from around the state and taught them "the value of drill, discipline and labor". Many children died in the institution and were interred in the graveyard behind the school. In 1945, the school was shut down and in 1974, the City purchased the compound for its office space. Renamed 'West Hills', it continues to be the nerve center of Owatonna's operation.
Princess Owatonna
All the attention on the area in the late 1800's caused the city administration (and a fly-by-night corporation from which the city administrators profited) to devise a tourism and bottled water scheme in which a fake mystical story centered around a "Princess Owatonna" was concocted. According to the story, Princess Owatonna was taken to the Straight River by her father, Chief Wabena, after she fell ill. He had heard of the wonderful curative effects of the Straight River and decided that only their magical restorative properties could save her. After drinking the waters, Princess Owatonna was miraculously cured, lending her name and image to both the town and the newly minted bottled water company. A statue of the marketing scheme appears in Owatonna's Mineral Springs Park, next to the Straight River and a fountain, where visitors can drink the water that "saved" a princess.
National Farmers Bank
Standing out in the middle of Owatonna's downtown area is one of the premier pieces of prairie architecture in America, the National Farmer's Bank, now populated by a Wells Fargo. Designed by Louis Sullivan, the building was finished in 1908 and features gold leaf arches, beautiful stained glass windows and incredibly baroque art nouveau designs. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places and is considered a classic example of the "Prairie School of Architecture".
Economy
Owatonna has established itself as an economic stronghold in Southern Minnesota with many diverse industries. Federated Insurance has their headquarters in Owatonna, and SPX Corporation and Cabela's both have a large presence in the community.
Famous Residents
- Har Mar Superstar, musician and songwriter, born in Owatonna.
- Don Laughlin, founder of the resort town of Laughlin, Nevada, born and raised in Owatonna.
- E.G. Marshall, best known for his role as the nervous Juror #3 in the Henry Fonda classic, 12 Angry Men was born in Owatonna on June 18th, 1910.
- Harry Williams, the author of the World War I and World War II classic song, "It's a Long, Long Way to Tipperary", and sometime director for Mack Sennett graduated from Pillsbury Military Academy (now Pillsbury Baptist Bible College) in Owatonna.