A community in Owatonna, Minnesota, recently received a big surprise as construction workers demolishing a local high school building with over a hundred years of history stumbled upon a mysterious treasure hidden within.
In the spring of 2024, a construction team was tasked with dismantling the 104-year-old Owatonna High School. As workers were preparing to remove the front pillars and doors of the school building, Bob Olson, the director in charge of school facilities, infrastructure, and safety, requested the contractors to be particularly careful when dismantling the cornerstone (engraved with the year 1920) as they intended to preserve it for future use in the new high school or school district office.
However, to their surprise, as the workers carefully excavated the old cornerstone, they discovered a rusted metal box hidden inside, despite its rusty and dented appearance, it was remarkably well preserved.
On April 22nd, Owatonna Public Schools (the district to which Owatonna High School belongs) held an unveiling ceremony for the “time capsule” at the Crandall Center in West Hills and invited the public to witness the event.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Olson, wearing gloves, pried open the metal box “time capsule” sealed for over a century, revealing many documents inside. These included a campus publication, several financial reports, a list of 1920-1921 Owatonna Public Schools teachers and administrative staff, and three community newspapers.
According to Superintendent Jeff Elstad, these items are typical memorabilia placed in time capsules.
Despite some water damage, the documents were still legible and in good condition. It is believed that one document written in Czech was donated by a Bohemian cultural organization in Owatonna at the time.
Elizabeth Anselmo, a historian and board member of Steele County High Schools, could barely contain her excitement when the time capsule was opened. Her ancestors have lived in the Owatonna community for generations, and she has a deep connection to every aspect of the land. Her family has five generations who attended this high school.
“I was truly excited,” she said, “I really shed tears.”
For Owatonna alum and school board chairman Mark Sebring, seeing the familiar high school being demolished brought mixed emotions.
He said, “For those of us who graduated from Owatonna High School, this old building holds extraordinary significance.”
Community member Mary Larson, who graduated from the high school in the 1950s, shared Sebring’s sentiment. She said, “That box holds a lot of treasures.”
Meanwhile, when Owatonna Public Schools Principal Cory Kath laid eyes on the time capsule, his emotions were also deeply stirred.
It is reported that the Owatonna High School Museum Committee is working with the Steele County Historical Society to preserve these precious artifacts that witness the local history.