BACK IN TIME
While recently driving through Waseca, I noticed that the street signs had the names of the streets at the top, but at the bottom was the phrase “formerly _____ Street.” This made me think of some of the streets in our area that had different names in the past.
As of 1894, Owatonna had three streets named after wildlife – Wolf, Bear, and Mink. These are no longer designated streets, but alleys or undesignated roads between Cedar and Elm Avenues near the railroad tracks. It seems the names changed as the animals disappeared, although a bear did recently spend time in Owatonna.
Over the years streets were most often named by the developers. Current Community Development Director, Troy Klecker, said that the city does not have specific guidelines in naming patterns, other than that they prefer not to have the first names of individuals used for streets. Were controversial names suggested, the city could become involved but has not had to do so. The city does have guidelines on whether an area is a street (east-west), an avenue (north-south), places, drives, etc.
There are several north-south streets named after trees, ranging from Willow in the east to Hawthorne in the western part of the city. Plus, many streets are named after individuals. Personally, I don’t know of any other McIndoe Street in any other city, named after McIndoe Alexander.
Ted W. Joesting, who wrote The utilities of Owatonna: a compendium, 1854-1970, shared some early street names, along with the names later given to them. Most of these changes took place in the 1950s – 60s.
Beckman Place – 11th Street NE
Barbara & Milbradt Streets – 13th Street NE
Perry & Sable Streets – 14th Street NE
Edgewood Street – 15th Street NE
Kading & King Streets – 16th Street NE
Donald Street – 17th Street NE
Louis Street – 20th Street NE
John Street – 22nd Street NE
Anton Street – Hemlock
Blooming Prairie had similar street changes come about also. To further confuse the issue, Blooming Prairie even changed the numbering of the streets: what once was 1st Street became 3rd Street; 4th Street became Main Street, and so on. The north-south avenues were named Virtue, Elm, Evergreen, Pine, Hazel, Maple, Oak, and Columbia. It may be a challenge to find your family’s home if you don’t have the key to these changes.
One final mystery about street names. Ted Joesting wrote, “And of course, almost everyone remembers Ecstasy Avenue…for the connotation, if for no other reason.” If you know where Ecstasy Avenue was located in Owatonna, please contact me, if for no other reason, than I am curious! My email address is nancyhistory@gmail.com.
Nancy Vaillancourt is a history buff from Owatonna who serves as a history correspondent for the Times. She served as librarian in Blooming Prairie for many years before retiring earlier this year.