Justin Boots
Encyclopedia
Justin Boots are a brand of cowboy boot
s, owned by the Justin Brands company, which is in turn a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway
. Justin Brands additionally owns brands Nocona, Tony Lama
, and recently Lucchese Boots Company. The company is headquartered in Fort Worth
, Texas
.
Justin cowboy boots have had a strong hold in the market as the true leader because of their reputation for quality craftsmanship and materials and their uniquely superb appearance.
H.J. "Joe" Justin
, who was born in Lafayette
, Indiana
, in 1859, moved to Texas in 1879, having established himself at Spanish Fort
. While working at a barber shop
, he learned how to repair boots and soon after he completed his first pair at home. He then opened a shoe repair and boot shop in which cowboys passing though town could place orders and pick up their new hand-crafted boots on their way back down the trail.
By 1925 John and Earl decided they were outgrowing Nocona and started looking toward Fort Worth, which could provide better railroad services, a larger labor pool, a larger bank, and better post-office facilities.
In 1948, John's son, John, Jr. (1917–2001), a nephew of boot-maker Enid Justin
, bought the controlling interest of Justin Boot Company from his uncle, Earl Justin. He was wise enough to realize that times were changing and so were interests in cowboy boots. Blue, green, red and yellow leather were one of the newest additions he brought into the factories, in many differing contrasting combinations, along with wing tips and fancy collars. This started to mark the age of the boots as more of a fashion necessity than a working necessity.
Justin Cowboy Boots have come a long way in their tumultuous past. Their most recent acquisition of Tony Lama Boot Company in 1991 made them the dominating company of the industry. Justin Industries, composed of Tony Lama Boots, Nocona Boots, Chippewa Boots, Justin Original Workboots, and Justin Boots, produces 3.5 million+ pairs of cowboy boots annually.
Justin Boots finances the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund to assist the families of cowboys struck with catastrophic injuries. The Justin Boots announcer, Bob Tallman
, is a large donor to the fund.
Cowboy boot
Cowboy boots refer to a specific style of riding boot, historically worn by cowboys. They have a Cuban heel, rounded to pointed toe, high shaft, and, traditionally, no lacing...
s, owned by the Justin Brands company, which is in turn a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway
Berkshire Hathaway
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is an American multinational conglomerate holding company headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, United States, that oversees and manages a number of subsidiary companies. The company averaged an annual growth in book value of 20.3% to its shareholders for the last 44 years,...
. Justin Brands additionally owns brands Nocona, Tony Lama
Tony Lama
Tony Lama is a U.S.-based corporation that designs and sells western-style boots. The company bears the name of its founder, who lived from 1887 to 1974. During the 1930s western wear craze in the southwestern U.S., the company focused its efforts on western-style boots.Lama learned his cobbling...
, and recently Lucchese Boots Company. The company is headquartered in Fort Worth
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States of America and the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas. Located in North Central Texas, just southeast of the Texas Panhandle, the city is a cultural gateway into the American West and covers nearly in Tarrant, Parker, Denton, and...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
Brief cowboy history
The modern day cowboy boot is one of the most recognizable facets of American culture, and is dominated by the big five companies-Justin, Tony Lama, Nocona, Hyer, and Acme. Cattle ranching in the United States existed as early as 1767 in California, but did not begin until the 1820s in Texas. However, what most people think of when they picture the legendary cowboy lifestyle of the "hard working man," did not begin until 1867 with the construction of the transcontinental railroad.Early Justin history
The look of the nineteenth-century cowboy boot has three important components: the high heel, the below-the-knee cut, and the side seams on the legs.Justin cowboy boots have had a strong hold in the market as the true leader because of their reputation for quality craftsmanship and materials and their uniquely superb appearance.
H.J. "Joe" Justin
Herman Joseph Justin
Herman Joseph Justin was born in Lafayette, Indiana. Justin's father's profession, cigar making, didn't suit H. J., so he moved to Texas in 1877 at the age of 18. First settling in Gainesville, Texas at a time when Indian raids from the Oklahoma Territory were just beginning to wane, Justin was...
, who was born in Lafayette
Lafayette, Indiana
Lafayette is a city in and the county seat of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, United States, northwest of Indianapolis. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 67,140. West Lafayette, on the other side of the Wabash River, is home to Purdue University, which has a large impact on...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, in 1859, moved to Texas in 1879, having established himself at Spanish Fort
Spanish Fort, Texas
Spanish Fort is an unincorporated town in north central Montague County, Texas, United States at the end of Farm Road 103 one mile south of the Red River.-History:...
. While working at a barber shop
Barber
A barber is someone whose occupation is to cut any type of hair, and to shave or trim the beards of men. The place of work of a barber is generally called a barbershop....
, he learned how to repair boots and soon after he completed his first pair at home. He then opened a shoe repair and boot shop in which cowboys passing though town could place orders and pick up their new hand-crafted boots on their way back down the trail.
Justin's growth begins
Joe's new wife, Annie Allen, created the made-to-measure boot mail-order kit, a brand new idea for this market. The kit included a twenty-inch ruler, a chart diagramming foot and boot parts and a hand-written letter stating the prices of the few leathers that were available at that time: black calf, retan, and kangaroo. The business began to boom after the Justin family moved it to Nocona, Texas, whereupon Joe added his two sons John and Earl as partners in 1908, creating H.J. Justin & Sons. In 1910, the real growth began, with Justin boots being sold in 26 states, Canada, Mexico, and Cuba for $11 a pair.By 1925 John and Earl decided they were outgrowing Nocona and started looking toward Fort Worth, which could provide better railroad services, a larger labor pool, a larger bank, and better post-office facilities.
John Justin, Jr.
"Boots grow on you. They are habit-forming. I tell [people] that if they don't want to become addicted, they'd better not wear them." -- John Justin, quoted at the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of FameNational Cowgirl Museum and Hall of FameThe National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame is a museum and association which honors women of the American West who have displayed courage or spirit and who have distinguished themselves while exemplifying the pioneer spirit...
in Fort Worth
In 1948, John's son, John, Jr. (1917–2001), a nephew of boot-maker Enid Justin
Enid Justin
Enid Justin , a native of Montague County, Texas, founded the Nocona Boot Company in the small community of Nocona, Texas.-Family life:...
, bought the controlling interest of Justin Boot Company from his uncle, Earl Justin. He was wise enough to realize that times were changing and so were interests in cowboy boots. Blue, green, red and yellow leather were one of the newest additions he brought into the factories, in many differing contrasting combinations, along with wing tips and fancy collars. This started to mark the age of the boots as more of a fashion necessity than a working necessity.
Justin Cowboy Boots have come a long way in their tumultuous past. Their most recent acquisition of Tony Lama Boot Company in 1991 made them the dominating company of the industry. Justin Industries, composed of Tony Lama Boots, Nocona Boots, Chippewa Boots, Justin Original Workboots, and Justin Boots, produces 3.5 million+ pairs of cowboy boots annually.
Justin Boots finances the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund to assist the families of cowboys struck with catastrophic injuries. The Justin Boots announcer, Bob Tallman
Bob Tallman
Robert Mathew "Bob" Tallman is an American rodeo announcer from Weatherford, Texas, once called "the greatest announcer that ever lived. He's just got a God-given talent."-Early years:...
, is a large donor to the fund.