Legendary Mineral Springs In Minnesota Drew Many
, 2023-01-11 09:33:45,
Mineral springs in Minnesota drew many to the small city of Owatonna at the end of the 19th century – all thanks to a legend about a Native American “princess” that is, quite likely, untrue. The site is now the city’s Mineral Springs Park.

The spring is said to have been called “Minnewaucan,” or “healing waters,” in the Dakota language – a name ascribed to several other springs in southern Minnesota.

Most likely, however, the name “Owatonna” probably refers to the Dakota name for the main river in the area – “Ouitunya” – which was in use for hundreds of years before colonizers arrived.

Water from the spring was declared similar to that of the “Vichy Spring” in France, and the Owatonna Mineral Springs Company bottled it and sold it across the country.

Today, some of the infrastructure is still in evidence.

In the 1970s, a local donor had a man-made waterfall built in the park.


Despite the dubious nature of the legend surrounding the park and its namesake spring, today it is a beautiful place to visit and for reflection as you hike, sit and gaze upon Maple Creek, or enjoy a cool sip of water from the spring.
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