History of the Wool Mill | Frankenmuth Woolen Mill

Our History

Our commitment to quality products and great sleep starts with our wool. We scoured the country to find ranchers who not only treat their sheep humanely, but also share in our passion of providing all natural materials and products that are made in the USA.

Vintage 1918 Photograph of Dedicated Workers from the Frankenmuth Woolen Mill where they crafted Premium Wool Comforters. This historical image showcases skilled laborers who would have handcrafted luxurious wool comforters at the renowned Frankenmuth Woolen Mill in 1918.

1894

The Frankenmuth Woolen Mill was established by Franz Ranke at 570 S. Main Street, Frankenmuth, Michigan. The woolen mill used locally grown wool to make socks, mitts, quilts, blankets and wool batting.

1918

Patriotic duty called when the U.S Government contracted with the Frankenmuth Woolen Mill to make 66,000 pairs of wool socks for the doughboys in Europe, outfitting the men who helped win the first World War.

1948

Construction started for a new retail store in front of the original mill. This move was to keep pace with Frankenmuth’s growing tourist trade and diversify the company’s earnings.

1977

For only the third time in 83 years the Frankenmuth Woolen Mill has new owners as Gary and Carol McClellan purchase the mill.

2006

The Frankenmuth Woolen Mill changes hands as Abby Curtis becomes its 4th owner.

2011

Matt Curtis joins his wife Abby at the Frankenmuth Woolen Mill as a wholesale division is created. The new division is an instant success as the mill is contracted to produce over a half million dollars of wool bedding in its first year.

2017

Abby and Matt Curtis purchase the land and building that houses the Frankenmuth Woolen Mill making them the owners of Michigan’s oldest woolen mill. The same year, the Mill’s online store, www.wool-bedding went live and changed the trajectory of the business.

2018

The Frankenmuth Woolen Mill enters into an agreement to purchase wool from transparent, equitable supply chains through Fibershed. This ensures that the wool used in the mills bedding is part of the Climate Beneficial Wool Pipeline and is all natural and sourced in the USA.