Pendleton Woolen Mills was founded by British weaver Thomas Kay and continues to be the longest-running weaving operation in the Pacific Northwest. The company began in 1863 when Thomas Kay arrived in Oregon and established several woolen mills. His grandsons opened a mill in Pendleton, Oregon in 1909, which produced bright, colorful blankets for the trading posts. These became prized possessions and were also used for ceremonial purposes by local tribes. A second mill was opened to weave apparel fabrics in 1912, in Washougal, Washington.
Pendleton began making men’s shirts in 1924, with a sturdy woolen flannel which is the particular fabric we typically select in crafting our head covers. The original name for the Beach Boys was ‘The Pendletones’ named after the wool utility shirt that was popular with California surfers in the early 1960s. For us, Pendleton connects with Seamus given that both brands were born in the West and celebrate the outdoor experience.
