Pendleton Woolen Mills

Pendleton Woolen Mills is an American textile manufacturing company based in Portland, Oregon, United States.

This proved to be a great benefit to Kay's company and to the Bishop enterprises in the combination of manufacturing and retail sales.

The town of Pendleton is a major railhead for the Columbia River Plateau and allowed convenient shipping for the growing business.

Pendleton photographer Walter S. Bowman captured early 20th century images of the mill's interior, exterior and its workers.

The company expanded their trade from the local indigenous tribes of the Columbia River area to the Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni peoples of the American Southwest.

To do this, they enlisted the help of designer Joe Rawnsley, who visited tribes to learn their customs and color preferences.

In 1912 the company opened a weaving mill in Washougal, Washington (across the Columbia River from Portland) for the production of woolen fabrics used in suits and other clothing.

One of the original three Bishop sons, Clarence Morton Bishop—usually known as “C.M.”—started a new product line of men's woolen sport shirts in bright colors and patterns.

During World War II, 1941–45, Pendleton Woolen Mills devoted most of its production to blankets and fabric for uniforms and clothing for the US military services.

This group later changed their name to The Beach Boys and the Pendleton shirt became popular among American youth.

The company also began a direct to consumer catalog business and expanded into an ecommerce platform in the 1990s.

Pendleton products are sold in the United States, Canada, Australia, Europe, Japan, and Korea.