Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
GEORGE RICHARDSON'S BOOT AND SHOE FACTORY
GEORGE RICHARDSON'S BOOT AND SHOE FACTORY. Established in Dubuque in February, 1877, George Richardson's Boot and Shoe Factory, located at 74 South Main Street, was originally operated in Galena, Illinois.
The 1880 through 1886-1887 Dubuque City Directory gave the address as the southeast corner of 3rd and Bluff.
The 1899-1900 Dubuque City Directory located this business at 2 3rd.
The firm occupied a three-story building, 25x120, and employed about forty-five men, at a weekly expense of $300. The stock manufactured included all grades of calf and kip boots and shoes, especially what is known to the trade as the " Standard Screwed Fastener," turning out nearly two thousand dozen pairs annually. Trade was generally limited to Iowa, Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. The raw material was obtained chiefly in Milwaukee, Chicago and Buffalo, the finer qualities were imported from abroad.
The total amount paid for materials annually was estimated in 1911 at $40,000. The sales amount was not less than $75,000.
In 1911 the building was destroyed by fire.
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Source:
Oldt, Franklin T. History of Dubuque County