HAWKINS... HAWKINS was founded in 1850. The shoe manufacturing business was started by George Thomas HAWKINS. It was located in Northampton, a suburb of London. The area was surrounded by ranches, and there was an abundance of leather that was perfect for shoes, and water needed for tanning the leather. It started out as a cottage industry manufacturer.

D ANNE R...It all started in 1932 in Chippewa Falls when Charles Danner sold cheap work boots for $4 a pair. In 1979, Danner was the first shoe company to develop shoes using "Gore-Tex," and the Danner brand established a strong position. Their stance of making lightweight, comfortable shoes, each pair carefully handcrafted over a long period of time, has not changed to this day.