A downtown Faribault mural depicts the evolution of the Tilt-A-Whirl.
IN AN IRONIC TWIST, or something like that, today’s Faribault Daily News featured this top headline:
“Operations cease at Sellner’s
Company created the Tilt-A-Whirl; was Faribault’s longest-running family business”
I read this within 45 minutes of posting “These businesses have been in Faribault for how long.”
I’m scraping egg from my face. But I had no idea, none, nada, that one of Faribault’s oldest businesses is, according to the newspaper article, in the process of being sold to Larson International, Inc., of Plainview, Texas.
You may not be familiar with the name Sellner Manufacturing. But I bet you have ridden the firm’s Tilt-A-Whirl, which is manufactured just blocks from my Faribault home. The company has been making this American icon amusement ride since 1926.
For several years now, Sellner Manufacturing has been struggling with financial difficulties. I’ve read the foreclosure notices in the newspaper. I won’t speculate as to why this happened. I simply don’t know.
I don’t know, either, what this means for the future of the Tilt-A-Whirl. Will it be around for another 85 years?
The Mural Society of Faribault created and placed the Tilt-A-Whirl mural on the side of Jim's Auto & Tire this past fall. It is among five murals in the downtown area.
© Copyright 2010 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I didn’t know the Tilt-a-Whirl was made in Faribault!
I recently discovered your blog and love it!
Terry (Giese) Alberts
PS Everyone was so appreciative of the nice article you did about Swissfest for the magazine. Thanks.
I’m glad you discovered Minnesota Prairie Roots, Terry. FYI, Terry and I were classmates at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato back in, dare I say, the 1970s.
I reconnected with her several years ago at Swissfest in Berne. I wrote a feature article on this southeastern Minnesota country church fest. It’s a fantastic, ethnic event.
Terry, until I moved to Faribault in 1982, I didn’t know the Tilt-A-Whirl was made here either.
I had no idea that was made in Fariault. I learned something new today. Now I have an interesting tidbit I can share with my MN folks.
Until I moved here in 1982, I had no idea the Tilt-A-Whirl was made in Faribault either. I’ve always wondered why the company, the community, haven’t promoted it. I always thought this would be a great tourist attraction. You know, a museum, a gift shop, AND rides. Now it’s too late.
I grew up across the street from the Art and Helen Sellner,spent many of days riding the ride at the factory….Steven was a very close friend of mine and always will be in my fun time childhood memories.
What a fun childhood you must have had with access to riding the Tilt-A-Whirl.