Jacobsen was established in Racine, Wisconsin, by Knud and Oscar Jacobsen. In 1978, it was acquired by Textron, which subsequently merged its residential lawn and garden products with Homelite. In 1994, Deere purchased the Homelite-Jacobsen brand and managed it until 2001, when it was sold to TTI. Meanwhile, Jacobsen's commercial golf and turf products remain under Textron's portfolio. The Racine facilities were shut down by Textron in 2001.