Oregon’s World-Famous Pendleton Woolen Mills Has Been Around For More Than 150 Years

Oregon is the birthplace of many famous companies that manufacture everything from craft beer to athletic shoes. In the little town of Pendleton, a family reopened a defunct woolen mill in the early 1900s, and today its blankets, shirts, and sweaters are popular all over the world.

Pendleton Woolen Mills is well-known all over the world today, but back in 1863 it had a humble start.

Thomas Kay hailed from England, and moved to Oregon in 1863. A weaver by trade, he opened a woolen mill in Salem.

Thomas taught his daughter Fannie everything he knew about wool and weaving, and she helped her father run the business.

Fannie married Charles Bishop and had three sons, Clarence, Roy, and Chauncey. They learned the trade as well, and the Bishop family took over operations of the Salem mill when Thomas retired.

In the early 1900s, the Bishop family was hoping to move to eastern Oregon, closer to the sheep that provided wool for the mill. Pendleton Woolen Mill had gone out of business, so the family bought it and moved its operation to Pendleton.

The family kept the original name, but constructed a brand new building for its mill.

The previous mill had been producing blankets for Native American tribes, and that tradition continued.

Pendleton's loom artist, Joe Rawnsley, visited the Nez Perce, Hopi, Navajo, and Zuni tribes to learn about their designs. Pendleton blankets were worn and used in tribal ceremonies.

The popularity of Pendleton blankets grew, and they became popular all over the country.

People came from near and far to see the latest Pendleton designs, and purchase a blanket.

In 1924, the company began to make wool shirts. Prior to that time, men's wool shirts were worn for work, and they were typically drab colors. Clarence had the idea to create fashionable wool shirts that could be worn any time, and they were an immediate hit.

In 1949, women's clothing was added to the Pendleton line. The '49er jacket was popular, and the "turnabout skirt" was like owning two skirts in one.

Through the decades Pendleton has had plenty of pop culture success, too. In 1960s, a musical group called the Pendletones was formed in California by three brothers, their cousin, and a friend. The band's name was inspired by Pendleton Woolen Mills, and its members all wore Pendleton wool shirts to perform.

You might recognize this band as The Beach Boys! The record company changed the band's name in 1961 when its first single was released.

You'll find another bit of Pendleton pop culture in the movie "The Big Lebowski." The movie's main character "The Dude," played by Jeff Bridges, wears a Westerley Sweater throughout the film.

The sweater was made back in 1972, but after "The Big Lebowski" came out, fans begged the company to produce it again. The company brought back the Westerley, and you can buy it online and in Pendleton stores.

Today, the Bishop family still owns and operates Pendleton Woolen Mills. Thomas Kay's great-great-grandson is the current CEO.

Do you own a cherished Pendleton blanket, shirt, or sweater?

Learn more about Pendleton Woolen Mills on its website, and check out the newest products on its Facebook page. While you're in Pendleton, stop by Rainbow Cafe - one of Oregon's oldest restaurants!