139 East Main Street
Owatonna, MN, USA

National Register of Historic Places - Steele County Courthouse (Owatonna Chamber of Commerce Building)

Statement of Significance: The Steele County Courthouse, constructed in 1874, is significant as the location of Steele County's government offices from 1874 to 1891. Although the building no longer serves as a seat of county government, it has continued to function as a public building since its construction. When Steele County had outgrown this building in 1891 a new courthouse was constructed (listed on the NR June 3, 1976). From 1891 to the present the building has served as a school, museum, and meeting place for the Steele County Historical Society; a meeting place for such civic organizations as the United Fund and the Owatonna Development Company; and currently as a building to house the offices of the Owatonna Chamber of Commerce. Architecturally, the building is a well-preserved example of the Italianate style.