Faribault, Minnesota

 city, county seat

Faribault is a city in Rice County, Minnesota. The population was 23,352 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Rice County.

Faribault rest on a low flood terrace in the valleys of the Cannon and the Straight rivers. This area was a favorite trapping ground for Indians and fur traders, with Alexander Faribault being one of the first whites to set up trade here. Faribault worked the Cannon River are druing the 1820's and by 1835 had set up a post. French-Canadian trappers and traders joined Faribault at this trading post and for the next twenty years, Faribault's creaking fur-carts were the only commerce in this region.
By the 1850's area settlement was rapidly increasing with milling and wheat farming the predominant trades. Together, the Cannon and Straight rivers provided power for the town's grist and sawmills.

The Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad served Faribault from 1866 until 1985, with a line now operated by the Iowa, Chicago and Eastern.

www.faribault.org