Note: The following post has been in my “drafts” since May. Time to publish this, as it appropriately themes to healing.
The statue of Princess Owatonna in Mineral Springs Park dates to the early 1930s.
LEGEND GOES THAT PRINCESS OWATONNA experienced restored health by drinking the curing waters of Minnewauan.
Princess Owatonna and her story, a park focal point.
The story of the princess, and a statue of her, center Mineral Springs Park in Owatonna, a place defined by water. Springs. Maple Creek. And a man-made waterfall.
Randy climbs a steep stairway to the top of a wooded hillside.
When we visited in mid May, apple blossoms were budding and blooming.
It was such a lovely May day to be out and about.
On a Friday afternoon in May, Randy and I stopped by the park to take in the art, the legend, the beauty of the water and apple blossoms, and simply nature.
Maple Creek, spanned by several bridges in the park.
Water streams from a pipe along the river bank.
Gracing Mineral Springs Park, a beautiful man-made waterfall constructed in the early 1970s.
During a previous visit, I drank cold spring water from a fountain. But on this day, no water bubbled up. Instead, water streamed from a nearby pipe, flowed in the creek and cascaded down the waterfall.
More history on a monument in Mineral Springs Park.
The park on this weather-perfect afternoon proved busy. But not too busy that we felt uncomfortable or crowed. Everyone respected everyone and social-distanced.
Another view of Maple Creek, which winds through Mineral Springs Park.
In 1875, Owatonna Mineral Springs Company formed with the spring water served for many years on railroad dining cars, according to the City of Owatonna website. One can only imagine the refreshing taste of that water sourced from this place in southern Minnesota, this place where Princess Owatonna, daughter of Chief Wabena, once found healing. So the legend goes…
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BONUS FINDS:
While walking around Mineral Springs Park, we found these messages on stones and a shell left in the park.
© Copyright 2020 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
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