Hamilton-Brown Shoe Factory (Columbia, Missouri)

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Hamilton-Brown Shoe Factory
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Location1123 Wilkes Blvd., Columbia, Missouri
Coordinates 38°57′38″N92°19′22″W / 38.96056°N 92.32278°W / 38.96056; -92.32278 Coordinates: 38°57′38″N92°19′22″W / 38.96056°N 92.32278°W / 38.96056; -92.32278
Arealess than one acre
Built1907 (1907)
Architectural styleEarly Commercial
NRHP reference No. 02000791 [1]
Added to NRHPJuly 19, 2002

The Hamilton-Brown Shoe Factory was the first large scale industrial operation in Columbia, Missouri. It was built in 1906-1907 by the Brown Shoe Company, the largest shoe manufacture in the world at the time. It was the first plant built outside of St. Louis and was operational from 1907-1939 [2] The building today has been converted into offices.

The company was a large manufacturer of men's, women's and children's shoes. In 1888, the Hamilton-Brown Shoe Company built a factory at the northeast corner of 21st and Locust in a fading upper-class residential neighborhood in St. Louis. Already a force in St. Louis industry, the company doubled its sales between 1890 and 1900. By the early 20th century, Hamilton-Brown with six manufacturing facilities claimed world leadership in boots and shoes. [3]

Hubert Homesley (13) and Erba Conley (15), Hubert has just been laid off Boys working at Hamilton Brown Shoe Company. Hubert Homesley, 13 years old, said he had been working there over six months. He and 10 other boys had been laid off. Erba Conley said he was 15 LOC nclc.04708.jpg
Hubert Homesley (13) and Erba Conley (15), Hubert has just been laid off

At one time, the company was the largest shoe manufacturer in the world. Their product line brand included the "American Gentleman" and "American Lady".

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. [1]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. Hamilton-Brown Shoe Factory - Columbia, Missouri - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com
  3. Debbie Sheals (March 2002). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Hamilton-Brown Shoe Factory" (PDF). Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2016-09-01.