Blog

Faribault is the birthplace of the Tilt-A-Whirl! Herbert Sellner, a woodworker and maker of water slides, invented the Tilt-A-Whirl in 1926, at his Faribault, Minnesota, home. Over the next year, the first 14 Tilt-A-Whirls were built in Herbert’s basement and yard.Read more

Faribault is home to one of the most renowned woodcarvers in the whole world! Ivan Whillock created his first wood carvings at the age of twelve in his father’s furniture shop. He received his art degree in 1959 and has practiced and studied with master sculptor Angel Lillo, and master carver Eduardo Gutierrez.Read more

The first church in the Episcopal Church designed as a cathedral. The architect was James Renwick, Jr., who also designed St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York and the Smithsonian Institution Building in Washington, D.C.Read more

Home to Minnesota’s only Heisman Trophy winner! Bruce Smith won the Heisman Trophy in 1941 while playing for the Minnesota Golden Gophers.Read more

Performing Arts History. The Paradise Center for the Arts in Faribault, was formerly known as a popular 1,000 seat Opera House in the late 1800’s.Read more

A.F. built the first wooden framed house in Rice County. The Alexander Faribault House was built in the Greek Revival style in 1853 by Alexander Faribault for a cost of $4000.00.Read more