Over the years, Red Wing shoe company has become known for more than just shoes or boots for wartime or marketed just to farmhands. Red Wing shoe company continued to make the 1088 Pershing style until 1965. In particular, the 1088 Pershing boot was one that gained a lot of popularity. Red Wing Shoes in WWIĭuring World War I, as the men who would have worked in the factory went to war, women entered the factory to help with the creation of boots. This boot also carried the likeness of the legendary Dakota chief Red Wing on the sole of the boot as well.

The Black and Brown Chief pull-on boots on a vintage Red Wing catalogueīy 1912, Red Wing shoe company was seeing massive success with its new style, the “ Black and Brown Chief.” This boot was created using manure-proof leather to assist farmers while working on their land. He was soon joined by other investors and they began launching the Red Wing shoe company in 1905. Thankfully, Charles didn’t have to wait forever. He came up with the idea to have something that was specific to a certain job.Īs Charles struck out to launch this new venture for shoes and boots that would fit people appropriately, he initially found that manufacturers were not willing to work with him. Shoe seller and businessman, Charles BeckhamĪt that time, Charles Beckman, who happened to be a shoe seller and a very wise businessman, would watch the carpenters and the blacksmiths walk throughout the city and noticed that they had ill-fitting boots and shoes on. European immigrants were creating factories and workshops all over the city. Soon after, the discovery of natural clay beds in the area launched a healthy stoneware industry.ĭuring the turn of the century, Red Wing, Minnesota was seeing massive success from its river port and businesses were springing up all over the place. However, in 1873, prior to the inception of the Red Wing shoe company, Red Wing, Minnesota was known as one of the most efficient producers of wheat in the United States of America. Many people now recognize the over 100-year-old company as a family-owned business that was launched in 1905 in Red Wing, Minnesota.

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