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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Today, some of the infrastructure is still in evidence.
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In the 1970s, a local donor had a man-made waterfall built in the park.
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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.
If you visit the park with critter-loving children, you may also want to…
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