Faribault, Minnesota: Difference between revisions

'''Faribault''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|f|ɛər|b|oʊ}} {{respell|FAIR|baltboh}})<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ap.org/minnesota/prono.html |title=Minnesota Pronunciation Guide |website=[[Associated Press]] |access-date=July 4, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722194213/http://www.ap.org/minnesota/prono.html |archive-date=July 22, 2011}}</ref> is a city in, and the county seat of, [[Rice County, Minnesota|Rice County]], [[Minnesota]], United States. The population was 24,453 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Faribault_city,_Minnesota?g=160XX00US2720546 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=December 31, 2023}}</ref> Faribault is approximately {{convert|50|mi|km}} south of [[Minneapolis–Saint Paul]].

The city's namesake, [[Alexander Faribault]], was the son of [[Jean-Baptiste Faribault]], a French-Canadian fur trader, and Elizabeth Pelagie Kinzie Haines, a Dakotah woman.<ref>Faribault Life and Times. "Alexander Faribault Before the Story: 1806-1855" <http://www.faribault.org/history2/Alex/Alex_before.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928112830/http://www.faribault.org/history2/Alex/Alex_before.html |date=September 28, 2011}}></ref> He is credited with fueling most of the early settlement in the area, beginning in 1826, when he established a fur trading post on the banks of the [[Cannon River (Minnesota)|Cannon River]]. By 1834, the trading post had grown in popularity and was relocated to the Straight River, one mile (1.6&nbsp;km) upstream of its junction with the Cannon River, the site of modern-day Faribault. The young Alexander Faribault used his knowledge of [[Dakota language]] and culture to improve relations with the displaced Wahpekute and even helped the tribe to resettle in the area. This relationship was instrumental in ensuring the success of the trading post and allowing safe travel to the area for settlers. The Dakota in the area called this soon-to-be town "Adek" for Alex (Alexander Faribault).<ref>{{cite book|last=Durand|first=Paul|title=Where the Waters Gather and the Rivers Meet |date=1994}}</ref>

Another source maintains the city is named for [[Jean-Baptiste Faribault]].<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ | title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States | publisher=Govt. Print. Off. | author=Gannett, Henry | year=1905 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n122 123]}}</ref>

The main street, Central Avenue, is seeing a renaissance of redevelopment with most of the historic commercial block listed on the national register of historic places. Many buildings are being restored to their original appearance. Among them is the [[Paradise Center for the Arts]], a multipurpose art center that is the result of a merger between the Faribault Art Center and the Faribault Area Community Theatre. Two longtime Faribault retailing/shopping institutions closed: the oldest, a longtime Central Avenue fixture, Jim & Joe's Clothiers closed after 125+ years of service due to a number of related factors.<ref>{{cite web|last=Huppert |first=Boyd |title=Over a century of service with a smile comes to an end |publisher=KARE 11 |date=May 19, 2006 |url=http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=125232 |access-date=March 5, 2008}}</ref> The other, Minnick's Food Market, was Faribault's last [[mom-and-pop]] grocery store and closed after 60+ years of operation in late 2006.

Faribault is in [[Minnesota's 1st congressional district]], represented by [[Brad Finstad]], a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]. On the state level, Faribault is in District 19, represented by [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] Representative [[Brian Daniels (politician)|Brian Daniels]], and [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] State Senator [[John Jasinski (politician)|John Jasinski]].