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Legend has it that 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. You can visit the springs and the statue of Princess Owatonna at Mineral Springs Park. Although this makes a colorful and romantic campfire story, the name most likely originated from the major river running through Steele County, now named the Straight River. For hundreds of years before the arrival of the first white settlers, Native Americans camped on the banks of the river they called “Ouitunya”, which means straight.
Steele County Historical Society Village of Yesteryear
Louis Sullivan designed National Farmers Bank
