The Village of Yesteryear

In 1962 the Steele County Historical Society was offered the Saco Church located 7 miles southwest of Owatonna, and with the support of the Steele County Agricultural Society, the Society permanently leased a portion of the southeast section of the fairgrounds to begin a pioneer village.  The original layout was similar to the center of Owatonna and its Central Park, which was originally circular. Thus was established the Village of Yesteryear, which has grown in the years since through the additional move of historic structures, as well as museum buildings built on site. Remaining as the spiritual "heart" of the Steele County Historical Society, the Village of Yesteryear showcases structures from around Steele County, highlighting stories from that past the touch all corners of the county.

The Steele County Historical Society was first formed in 1949 by a group of area residents who wished to record and preserve the history of Steele County. The Society was reorganized in 1951 and again in 1958 as the group overcame obstacles of meeting place and museum space. It eventually secured two rooms in the original 1873 Steele County Courthouse at 139 East Main Street in Owatonna, which was razed in 1986 after the Society relocated to the fairgrounds.

In 1962 the Society was offered the Saco Church located 7 miles southwest of Owatonna, and with the support of the Steele County Agricultural Society, the Society permanently leased a portion of the southeast section of the fairgrounds to begin a pioneer village.  The original layout was similar to the center of Owatonna and its Central Park, which was originally circular. Thus was established the Village of Yesteryear, which has grown in the years since through the additional move of historic structures, as well as museum buildings built on site.

Currently made up of 19 structures, the Village of Yesteryear is open to tours for the public from May 1 through September 30 each year. The Village is open to the public and new signage allows for self guided tours through the Village grounds, sharing insights into the historic qualities of the structures as well as their significance to the Village itself.

Ganfield, Jerry. A Guide to the Village of Yesteryear. Owatonna, MN. Studio 122, 55060.

Hinrichsen, Kellen. Steele County Historical Society - Village of Yesteryear. December 1st 2020. Accessed August 27th 2021. www.SCHSMN.org/Village-of-Yesteryear.

Various Authors. Owatonna: Memories and Milestones. Owatonna, MN. J-C Press, 55060.