Oronoco is a small community with new changes on the horizon
Along the banks of the Zumbro River, Oronoco is a small city about 5 miles north of Rochester. “Everyone is very neighborly and friendly; it’s got that feel you may not find outside of a small town,” says Lori Melhorn, who owns Two Sisters Kitchen + Bar with her sister, Diane Osland. Parks, campsites and farms surround the city. “I think we are on the cusp of a lot of new growth,” Melhorn says. She attributes this to the updated water system and plans for new housing and commercial development.
Locally owned restaurants and growing commercial development
There are a handful of local restaurants in Oronoco. Tilly’s is a bar and grill with a sand volleyball court. Like many restaurants in Oronoco, it often has live music. “There are a lot of really talented musicians out here,” Melhorn says. Two Sisters Kitchen + Bar is a family-owned restaurant specializing in homestyle cooking. “We serve Minnesota hot dishes and comfort food,” Melhorn says. “We try to utilize local businesses for our food sources.” It is the first establishment to open as part of ongoing commercial development near U.S.-52. Melhorn’s father is leading the construction. “We have one building that’s ready to go, and as soon as we have tenants to lease, we will start construction,” Melhorn says. Squash Blossom Farm is one of several farms surrounding the city. Besides having gardens, goats and chickens, the farm has a bakery and hosts Pizza Nights, where people can also order drinks from the meadery. Residents can get some groceries from the DG Market and head to the Hy-Vee in Rochester for larger shopping trips. Walmart, Home Depot and Target are all within a 10-mile drive.
Larger lots and new water system draw people to this Rochester suburb
In Oronoco, houses have spacious lawns surrounded by oak and pine trees. “It’s a suburb of Rochester, so the lots are a little bit bigger,” Melhorn says. “We just had a little bit more space to build our home.” Ranch styles, midcentury modern and new traditional homes are common. The oldest properties date back to the late 19th century, although most homes were built between the mid-20th century and the early 2000s. Prices range from $200,000 to $650,000, depending on size. The city’s new water system means fewer properties rely on septic tanks. Already, builders like Bigelow Homes are selling vacant lots.
According to First Street, Oronoco has an extreme risk from flooding. Depending on the location, mortgage lenders may require flood insurance.
City parks and natural areas offer outdoor recreation
At the shaded Oronoco Park, amenities include picnic tables, a playground and green space. There is also access to the Zumbro River, where people can go fishing and kayaking. Smaller pocket parks and playgrounds are scattered across the city. The Oronoco Prairie is a scientific and natural area just outside city limits that is home to various native plants, birds and other wildlife. Hiking is allowed year-round; locals can go snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter.
Students attend Rochester public schools and the career center
Oronoco is part of the Rochester Public School District. Overland Elementary School and Dakota Middle School are unrated by Niche; Century Senior High School earns an A-minus. High school students can enroll at the Career and Technical Education Center at Heintz, where courses include nursing and construction.
Antique dealers set up at Downtown Oronoco Gold Rush Days
The Downtown Oronoco Gold Rush Days gets its name from the gold rush of the late 1850s and brings in nearly 300 antique dealers from across the country. “A lot of people come from all over to shop,” Melhorn says. The event has expanded beyond antiques to include live music, a classic car show, and a kids’ zone with a bounce house and games. Also included in the event’s programming is the Zumbro River Rubber Duck Derby, where attendees can buy a duck to float down the river.
Highway makes getting to and from Rochester easy
U.S. Route 52 merges with U.S. Route 63 and leads into Rochester. While most residents fly out of Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, about 65 miles away, Rochester International Airport is a closer option at a 20-mile drive. The nearest emergency room is at Saint Mary’s campus of the Mayo Clinic, about 10 miles away.
