Faribault in Rice County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Alexander Faribault
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 3, 2022
1. Alexander Faribault Marker (left panel)
Alexander Faribault, namesake of this community, epitomized cultural coexistence. As the child of a French-Canadian father and a half-Dakota mother, Alex saw the value of multiculturalism and respect across religious lines. At a time when this ideal was rare, Alex dreamed of a community where all nationalities and religions could live side by side.
The community Alexander built further exemplified these values: indigenous Dakota, American settlers, Nordic refugees, and the German, Irish, and French-Canadian immigrants all called this city home. Diversity, understanding, and tolerance often come with conflict. Alex lost his home, his wealth, his family, his reputation, his life, all in the pursuit of this dream: a thriving community built on coexistence, located where the Straight and Cannon Rivers meet.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Immigration • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 44° 17.479′ N, 93° 16.11′ W. Marker is in Faribault, Minnesota, in Rice County. Marker is at the intersection of Central Avenue North and 1st Street Northwest, on the left when traveling north on Central Avenue North. Marker is mounted on a bench at the southwest corner of the intersection. Touch for map
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Famous People of Faribault (here, next to this marker); Community CO-OP (a few steps from this marker); Pirkl Implement (within shouting distance of this marker); A Teacher Named Harriet Tucker (within shouting distance of this marker); Tilt-A-Whirl (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Faribault: Home of the Tilt-A-Whirl (about 400 feet away); Bishop Whipple & St. Mary's School for Girls (about 400 feet away); Faribault's Talented Artisans (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Faribault.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Alexander Faribault
Also see . . .
1. Who Was Alexander Faribault?.
His father, Jean-Baptiste Faribault, was a French-Canadian fur trader who had been with the Northwest and American Fur Companies since June 1796. His mother was Elizabeth Pelagie Kinzie Haines, daughter of a French voyageur and Dakota mother. Faribault and his companions established three to four trading posts in this general area between 1828 to the mid-1830s and, in 1834, set up a post at the confluence of the Cannon and Straight(Submitted on December 8, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)Rivers. In 1844, he moved the post to the site of present-day Faribault and there, with his earnings from the fur trade, built the first frame house in the area in 1853.Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 3, 20222. Alexander Faribault Marker (right panel)
2. Alexander Faribault.
Alexander Faribault married Mary Elizabeth Graham in 1825. Mary was a member of another prominent French-Dakota family. This helped contribute to Faribault's successful business enterprises. He owned a trading post and in 1851 served in the Minnesota Territorial House of Representatives.(Submitted on December 8, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
3. Alexander Faribault (Find A Grave).
One of the most significant things Alexander Faribault did before founding his town in 1855 was to work with the government and the Dakota in establishing land treaties. The government trusted Alexander and other mixed-blood interpreters because they spoke English and often dressed like other whites. The Dakota trusted them because they spoke their language and because they considered them part of their family.(Submitted on December 8, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
4. Alexander Faribault.
Join Logan Ledman and Samuel Temple as they search for Alexander(Submitted on December 9, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)Faribault's story in the first episode of "1855".Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 3, 20223. Marker detail: Alexander Faribault • "Fathers of Faribault"Alexander Faribault considered other community leaders of the time including Taopi and Bishop Whipple, to be close personal friends.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 3, 2022
4. Alexander Faribault Bench
Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 7, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 124 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 8, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
