Thorogood American Heritage 11 Soft Toe Wellington Boots for Men

In 1892, at the young age of 27, Albert H. Weinbrenner opened a cobblery in Milwaukee, partnering with Joseph Peffer to serve the "Jobbing" trades. Eight years later, in 1900, the Albert H. Weinbrenner Co. was formally established.

The company's first catalog was printed in 1916, a time when it had more leather cutting machines than any other in the United States. The following year, 1917, saw the introduction of the "Job-fitted" concept, and Weinbrenner became a major contributor of boots to the U.S. Army during World War I.

In 1938, the company took its first steps into safety footwear production. Four years later, in 1942, Weinbrenner celebrated 50 years in business, converting its entire operation to military footwear for the duration of World War II, producing combat and dress styles. This military footwear also became popular with civilians.

The year 1943 marked the organization of company workers under the International Boot & Shoe Workers Union, yet management and workers maintained an outstanding relationship that continues to this day. Twenty-one years later, in 1964, the company introduced the Official Boy Scout Boot: The Hike n' Camp, with its wedge sole and moccasin-style stitching, which became the company's best-selling boot of all time and is still available in its original design.

In 1988, the company was purchased by a local group that included six employees, leading to the creation of the "ThoroGard" division, which featured high-tech occupational safety footwear. Four years later, in 1992, Weinbrenner celebrated 100 years in business with the theme "A Century of Lasting Quality."

The year 2000 saw Weinbrenner employees take ownership of the company through an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan). The following year, 2001, Weinbrenner donated 300 pairs of durable work boots to Ground Zero within three days of the September 11 terrorist attacks, with another 200 pairs following shortly after.

In 2014, the company introduced the 1892 Heritage line of handcrafted, lifestyle boots, built on the iconic No. 60 last. Three years later, in 2017, Weinbrenner celebrated its 125th anniversary, demonstrating a renewed commitment to upgrading and improving its domestic facilities, machines, equipment, manufacturing methods, and computer systems/programs.

Most recently, in 2022, Weinbrenner celebrated 130 years as a company, with the opening of a new factory in Merrill, Wisconsin, and the launch of the first western wear product, Thorogood's Square Toe Wellingtons. Sales continue to increase as Thorogood gains popularity and expands with many new styles on the horizon.

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