AS A LIFE-LONG MINNESOTAN, certain things pop out at me as iconic Minnesota. Topping that list—Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. I realize we’re not the only place claiming this over-sized legendary lumberjack and his ox as ours. But both are assuredly important in state lore, tourism and business identity, mostly in central and northern Minnesota where our lumber industry is rooted.
Yet, I only need head south a few blocks from my house to see Paul marking Bauers Southside Liquor, once also home to the adjoining Paul Bunyan South gas station and convenience store. It closed years ago as did all the other Paul Bunyan stores in Faribault.
Yet, the legendary lumberjack maintains his influence locally. Recently, I spotted an enormous buffalo plaid blanketed “bed” in the parking lot of Faribault Mill, an iconic business since 1865 known for its wool blankets. Signs invited folks to stop, climb onto the Paul Bunyan bed and take photos.
While I was there, one couple did just that. They were camping in nearby Nerstrand Big Woods State Park with others and headed into Faribault for stops at a local apple orchard and also at the Mill. I tipped them off to other places to visit, especially our historic downtown. I never pass on an opportunity to tell visitors about my community.
On this Saturday, after photographing that creative marketing bed, I followed the two couples from Minneapolis into the Mill retail store. I haven’t been inside in a while. To my delight, I found more Minnesota icons on Mill products. I should note here that the Mill has a second mill (acquired in 2022) in Monmouth, Maine (Brahms Mount) which specializes in cotton textiles. Paul Bunyan is also big in Maine folklore.
I love how Faribault Mill tapped into Minnesota talent. Artist Adam Turman created art for throws and pillows that is distinctly part of Minnesota culture and life. I’ve been a fan of Turman since viewing his art on seasonal-themed murals in neighboring Northfield. His work for Faribault Mill features Paul Bunyan and Babe, the Hamm’s beer bear, the Pillsbury Dough Boy, State Fairchild, loons, a snowy owl, cardinal, Split Rock lighthouse and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
While strolling through the Mill store, I focused on the art-themed merchandise among all the traditional primarily plaid and solid-hued woolen blankets people have come to associate with Faribault’s mill.
In a room just off the main shop, I spotted folding chairs set up for folks who tour the mill. Tours are available at 11 am and 1 pm Fridays and Saturdays for a fee. Wool blanket remnants drape the chair backs, creating a memorable and colorful scene.
Also memorable are the Linus statue and the Peanuts-themed throws. We Minnesotans are proud of the Peanuts crew created by Charles Schulz, born in Minneapolis and raised in St. Paul. And I am proud of the Faribault Mill, a long-standing business in my community known for its quality made-in-America products. During the two World Wars, the then Faribault Woolen Mill made wool blankets for Army soldiers.
Today Mill employees continue to create quality products, and not just blankets, at its two plants. The Mill also weaves into the fabric of America via a Paul Bunyan-sized spirit of generosity. For every bed blanket sold, the company donates a blanket to nonprofits serving youth experiencing homelessness in major cities across the U.S. That’s through its Spread the Warmth program. The Mill has also donated blankets to local youth.
The marketing and business teams at Faribault Mill clearly understand the value of connecting with community, of giving back and of drawing customers via creativity. The Paul Bunyan-sized buffalo plaid blanketed bed and the Minnesota art by Adam Turman both grabbed my attention. While the bed has been put to bed for the season—maybe because Paul Bunyan needs his wool blankets back for the forthcoming winter—you can still step inside the retail store and wrap yourself in the warmth of Minnesota from blankets to legendary icons.
© Copyright 2024 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I have been a customer of the Faribault Mill and love their products. I bought a blanket with a Linus w his blanket on it! Minnesota knows how to have fun with that Paul Bunyan bed opportunity for tourists.
Ruth, thank you for supporting the Faribault Mill. Their products are definitely quality products. I have several blankets, including a buffalo plaid one gifted to me by a neighbor. She once worked at the Mill retail shop.
Sounds cozy.
🙂
There was a Hamm’s brewery in Los Angeles between 1957 and 1972, so we had “land of sky blue waters” ads on the TV quite often when I was growing up there. It’s a tag line that’s stuck with me all these years. Hamm’s is still being brewed as a separate brand by the giant Molson Coors beer conglomerate.
That advertising jingle is definitely catchy and memorable. I didn’t know Hamm’s was made in LA for a while. But I did know about its current production. I wish it was still made in Minnesota.
so very fun and clever, both! love the ‘abbey road’ art and the giant bed-
Definitely a lot of creativity going on here and I love it all, too.
This was fun to read about the Faribault Woolen Mills. I didn’t know they opened a store in Maine. The blankets are wonderful. We have a couple and I’ve given them as gifts. They used to have a good tent sale.
I missed seeing the Paul Bunyan bed. How fun. And, I didn’t know our MN gopher was State Fairchild.
I do like Adam Turman’s work. Our son commissioned him to paint a mural on his office building in Uptown. It’s a wonderful scene.
The Faribault Mill acquired the Maine mill, thus the name change from Faribault Woolen Mill. I’d not heard the label “State Fairchild” either until reading it on the Mill website. How wonderful that your son commissioned Adam Turman to paint a mural on his office building.
This is a fun ‘iconic’ Minnesota post – Paul Bunyan, Peanuts, and cozy blankets…
Thank you, Rose.
It would be really fun to see the Paul Bunyan Bed! I have been back in recent years to the Faribault Woolen Mills purchasing a wool throw for my living room. They are really on top of things with their marketing, products and giving back. Back in the 1960s my Mom and I would make a trip there to purchase fabric for 4-H sewing projects. I have good memories of that plus I still have two – one color blankets from there. All treasures!
Since the new owners took over a while back, the company has really grown and expanded with creative marketing. It’s interesting that you bought fabric at the mill for 4-H sewing projects. That’s a part of the story I haven’t heard.