The John B. Stetson Company, founded by John B. Stetson in 1865, was the maker of the Stetson cowboy hats, but ceased manufacturing in 1970. ^[1] Stetson hats are now being manufactured in the St. Joseph, Missouri, plant by Hat Brands, Inc who also produce Resistol, and Charlie 1 Horse, hats. ^[2]

Contents 1 History 2 See also 3 External links 4 References

[edit] History

The John B. Stetson Company was established in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1865 when John B. Stetson decided to mass-produce a hat like one had fashioned for himself out of necessity during a lengthy Western expedition. Stetson's Boss of the plains, with its high crown, and wide flat brim, became the prototype for all other cowboy hat designs. Now located in St. Joseph, Missouri, the Stetson hat factory there and its second factory in Galveston, Texas, continue to turn out the "Boss of the Plains," along with over 100 variations for men and women. ^[3]

The Stetson has become "a symbol of Western pride and bravado, this hat, with its large crown and wide brim, has graced the heads of America's most treasured Western heroes, from old-time favorites like actor John Wayne, Clayton Moore as the Lone Ranger, and country singer Gene Autry, to modern-day popular artists like Garth Brooks and Larry Hagman as J.R. Ewing on the television series Dallas." ^[3] J.R.'s hat is now displayed in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's contemporary Americana exhibit. Furthermore, the Stetson hat has also been worn by prominent country singers from Dale Evans to Trisha Yearwood, spurred on by legendary female maverick Annie Oakley, proving "that females can carry off this most essential Western look, too." ^[3]

[edit] See also

• Stetson University
• Cowboy hat
• Boss of the plains

[edit] External links

• Stetson Hats official website
• The Hat of the West" is Born, John B. Stetson's Hats

[edit] References