Faribault Historical Benches Dedication This Week

The Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Main Street program is dedicating over 20 benches with historical information about iconic businesses and industries.

Kelly Nygaard Coordinator of Main Street and Marketing Manager for the Faribault Chamber says a ribbon cutting will take place 4:00 p.m. this Thursday on the east side of Central Avenue near KDHL Radio.  The corner of 6th Street and Central Avenue.  The historic KDHL bench is located there.

See if you can identify those in the pictures.  Legendary Dean Curtis of course is the individual most associated with the Mighty 920 since the station went on the airwaves in 1948.  But as the bench tells you two former employees of the radio station are in the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee.

Across the street on the west side are two benches.  One highlights early (1880) industry in Faribault sponsored by Daikin.  The other gives information about the various educational opportunities available in the community.

Following the ribbon cutting there will be a self guided history walk.  Attendees will be encouraged to stroll downtown and view each bench to read more about Faribault's history.

Nygaard says these benches, "Are already adding charm and functionality" to the downtown area.  The Chamber is most proud the benches were locally made.  23 benches total will eventually be placed.

The historical idea piggybacks on the fact the downtown Faribault business district is on the National Register of Historic Places.  Faribault is only surpassed by St. Paul for the number of properties on The National Register.

We will undoubtedly get more details about this and other Faribault Chamber events during the Wednesday AM Minnesota program at 9:30 a.m. when a representative of the organizations stops by to visit with us.

There is a car show scheduled for this Friday.  The Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism membership picnic will be September 1, 2020.

Taste of Faribault is scheduled for September 17, 2020 at the Faribo West Mall. The Business Awards Luncheon will be October 1, 2020 at the Faribault American Legion.