Information about the History of Oronoco

History of Oronoco

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"What would entice three young bachelors to leave their homes in Iowa and make the arduous wildernes trip, on foot; to this land of the Sioux and Winnebago one hundred and thirty-nine years ago? One thing was water power and promising adjoining land. Carrying a survey permit they also came to help prepare some ground for the stage line that would run from Dubuque to St. Paul.

Their steps must have quickened as they came upon the river called Los Zambros by the French fur traders and later shortened by the English and the -Indians to the Zumbro. It was no doubt enlarged with early spring thaw and promised power as it moved through, it's beautiful, heavily wooded valley. There must have been great excitement when they discovered that two branches of the river joined and formed one strong current. When they heard the sound of cataracts near our present dam, they knew they had found what they were looking for. This moment held within it the germination of both the community of Oronoco and the body of water we now call Lake Shady."...from an article written by George Anderson, Lake Shady Preservation Committee.

Oronoco is rich in History from the discovery of Gold to the "Sunken Heaven Bar". Please browse through the history of Oronoco and find a bit of the past.

First Settlers & Indians STAKING THE CLAIM	Discovery of Gold in Oronoco THERE IS GOLD IN THE RIVER	Early Business-Downtown Area A House For All Seasons SHOPPING IN MEMORY LANE
Stage Coach & Rail Roads CATCH A RIDE	Lake Shady & Zumbro River PICNIC BY THE LAKE Zumbro River	Bridges & Dams BRIDGES OVER THE DAM ORONOCO DAM
Early Schools & Churches LEARNING IN THE PAST WORSHIPING IN THE PAST	Downtown Oronoco Gold Rush Days History: Downtown Oronoco Gold Rush Days	Excerpts from History of Winona and Olmsted Counties 1883 pp. 848,851-853,856,857
Excerpts from History of Olmsted County 1910 p. 285