Today, more than 27,000 people call Owatonna home. It is a community that boasts high average income levels and high education levels. With a commitment to growth and access to services, Owatonna is equally committed to a quality of life – to care enough to leave a legacy for generations to come.

So please, take a closer look at Owatonna, stay a while – make it home.

history

Owatonna is rich in history. The region where Owatonna is located was historically used by Native Americans as a hunting area. The only known periodic encampment was at Rice Lake for hunting and harvesting wild rice. Upon its founding by settlers in 1854, the area was named Owatonna after the Dakota name for the Straight River, “Wakpá Owóthaŋna.”

Today, Owatonna’s history is preserved at area attractions like the Orphanage Museum, the National Farmers’ Bank, and Village of Yesteryear. The historic downtown offers a snapshot of what Owatonna was like at the turn of the century.

Why the Name Owatonna?

Legend has it… Chief Wabena heard of the curing waters called minnewaucan. His daughter, Princess Owatonna, was very frail so he moved his tribe to the site of the natural springs on the banks of Maple Creek. Princess Owatonna drank from the springs daily and recovered her health. Her kindly spirit hovers near the bubbling waters and beckons weary travelers to pause in the beautiful valley and drink of the magic waters.

True Origins… For hundreds of years before the arrival of the first white settlers, Native Americans camped on the banks of a river they called “Ouitunya,” which means “straight” and is today the name of the major river in Steele County.

Owatonna welcomes you to visit the springs and the statue of Princess Owatonna at Mineral Springs Park.

CITY AND COUNTY

The Owatonna City Offices are located in the West Hills Complex and house many of Owatonna’s city-run departments.