Description
First incorporated only five years prior to this publication, Owatonna, Minnesota had experienced a significant growth in population following the conclusion of the American Civil War. Immigrants from Scandinavia, Western Europe, and the East and South had flocked to the region during this time to establish farms and dairies in the fertile land around Owatonna. This bird's eye perspective was illustrated and published by Albert Ru ger, a prominent lithographer and early pioneer of the form who produced numerous depictions of towns and cities across the Midwest starting in the middle portion of the eighteenth century. Owatonna quickly grew after incorporation, and access was expanded by the completion of rail lines through the city and is home to the Steele County Free Fair, which was first held in 1860 and remains a cherished annual tradition that brings visitors to the week-long celebration in August. Located on the banks of the Straight River, Owatonna has developed a rich history and distinct culture that hearkens back to its first settler's roots in European traditions and agrarian lifestyle. Panoramic maps were used as marketing materials to attract residents and merchants alike and offer a glimpse of towns as they developed and evolved through the years. This unique depiction bears a distinctive style and classic aesthetic that immediately transports the viewer back in time, creating a link between the past and present. Ru ger's work bears his signature flourishes which were designed to identify economic and civic features as well as notable natural attractions. Overall Size: 24" H x 30" W
