Book Description

Owatonna was first published in 1938.This is a model local history, covering the industrial and cultural growth of a unique little city from its founding in 1854 to the present time.Edgar B. Wesley, who was professor of education at the University of Minnesota and author of several books in the field of social studies, has met the exciting standard which is seldom achieved in local history - accuracy without localism.His study traces the rise of Owatonna before the Civil War, and goes into considerable detail as to how it did not succeed in becoming an industrial center until after it found its real success as an agricultural trading center. The author shows how cooperative dairying enabled the city to develop other industries. Another phase that receives extensive treatment is the struggle of Owatonna with its public utilities."In this fascinating account of Owatonna," says Theodore C. Blegen, superintendent of the Minnesota Historical Society, "Dr. Wesley turns the familiar slogan 'Know Your Own Community' into concrete and vivid terms. His treatment is comprehensive, interesting, searching in its interpretation, dynamic in method and spirit, and scholarly from beginning to end. The book should serve as a model and a challenge to local historians in every community of Minnesota, and in fact throughout the country. I heartily recommend this volume to libraries, local historical societies, and history teachers, as well as to all those who are interested in probing into the everyday realities of American life."