Where'd You Get Them Boots?

At Enchanted Springs Ranch, we are about keeping the old west alive, but one thing that just seems to be accepted and stays around on it's own is the cowboy boot. Today's boots are stylish, decorative and make a statement. But how and where did this footwear begin?

In the beginning, known as riding boots, this attire was part of the equestrian lifestyle. Until mechanization in the industrial age, boots were handmade and in different styles. The cowboy boot has a heavy vaquero influence from Spain, dating back to the early 16th century. 

During the cattle drive years, 1866 - 1884, a good cowboy would wear out a pair of dress boots while working. It became common for the cowboy to have two pair of boots. The work boot and the "going to town" boot which was more decorative with top-stitching, geometric cut-outs and an under slung heel.

Today's traditional cowboy boot was taken up in the ranching areas of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. Two of the best known early boot makers of the era were Charles Hyer of Hyer Brothers Boots in Olathe, Kansas, and H. J. "Big Daddy Joe" Justin of Justin Boots in Spanish Fort, Texas and later Nocona, Texas. After Justin moved closer to Dallas where shipping was easier, the Nocona brand of cowboy boots was made by Enid Justin Stelzer, eldest daughter of Joe Justin, who stayed in Nocona with her husband, and the couple continued the family business. After the couple divorced, the Olsen-Stelzer brand was started by Stelzer. (Wikipedia.org)

The design of the cowboy boot was more for safety than fashion and these basic designs are still a part of the

boot today.  The heel was needed to keep the cowboy's foot in the stirrup. Since the cowboy was often in the saddle on rough terrain, the risk of being thrown from the saddle was great. If the foot slipped through the stirrup, the cowboy had the potential of being drug by the horse and seriously hurt or even killed.  The tall shaft, without lace ups, was loose fit to the human calf. If the cowboy did get caught in the stirrup after being thrown, the cowboy could get his foot out of the boot. The shaft also protected the cowboy's leg from rubbing the saddle, being pricked and poked by the brush and protected his legs from rattlesnakes. If the cowboy had to traverse high water or strike out on foot across rugged terrain the boot keep out water and supported the cowboy in the rough conditions.

Decorations varied widely on cowboy boots and most boots were made from cowhide leather. But, even the early cowboy liked to be unique and boots started appearing with decorative stitching and designs.  The Texas Star was a popular adornment.  Wild West Shows and western movies influenced even more fashion into the cowboy boot appearance. Today's cowboy boot comes in many colors, material, style and decorations to fit any person's taste and sense of style. But the basics are still the same underneath all the flair.