| The staff at the
Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce and the Worthington
Area Convention & Visitors Bureau extend a warm welcome and
personal invitation for you to discover why "You'll Come To
Love Us!" We have put together a comprehensive listing of
information about our area on this site, backed up by maps,
brochures and other publications which are available free of
charge by mail to acquaint you with the many shops,
businesses, attractions and activities in the Worthington
area.
Background
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Lake Okabena |
The first settlers
to Worthington were attracted by the prospect of bountiful
harvests from these fertile prairies and, of course,
beautiful Lake Okabena. In the Dakota language, Okabena
means "nesting place of herons." It was transportation,
however, that was responsible for the founding of the city
in 1871 with the coming of the Sioux City and St. Paul
railroads. Transportation continues to play a vital role
with Interstate 90 intersecting with U.S. Highway 59 and
Minnesota Highway 60.
Today
Worthington has more than 20 parks, many of
them located around 785-acre Lake Okabena. Chautauqua,
Centennial and Olson Park Campground are three of the
largest. Chautauqua and Centennial have shelter houses with
water, electricity and restrooms and are in close proximity
to the city's large, outdoor pool and water slide, boat
landing, softball fields and tennis courts. Olson Park
Campground has electrical hookups, a shelter house and new
shower/restroom facilities.
The city
supports a complete, regional shopping center. Businesses
are located in the City Center, Northland Mall, Oxford
Street, North Humiston Avenue-Ryan's Road, and The Beltline.
A community and technical college, regional hospital,
specialty clinics and an up-to-date airport are located
here. Amenities include eight motels, travel plazas,
restaurants, theaters, museums, Pioneer Village, sports and
recreation centers, two 18-hole golf courses and a
performing-arts auditorium.
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