1863
THE FRYE COMPANY FOUNDED
In 1863, John A. Frye opened the doors to the very first Frye shop on Elm Street in Marlboro, MA, paving the way for countless generations of Frye artisans dedicated entirely to the art of craftmanship.
With a heritage rooted in craftsmanship, Frye awakens the curious, the courageous, the adventurous in all of us.
THE ORIGINAL. THE AUTHENTIC. THE ONLY.
In March 1863, John A. Frye opened the doors of a small shop on Elm Street in Marlboro, Massachusetts. This is our history and our heritage, told in every stitch of every shoe we’ve made for nearly 160 years: across cultural shifts and changes in fashion, for generation upon generation.
THE FRYE STORY
INNOVATION IN THE PURSUIT OF TIMELESSNESS
1888
THE VERY FIRST FRYE BOOT
1888 marks the year that the very first boot ever was made by The Frye Company. With its precision stitching and quality leather, this boot is testimony to Frye’s unparalleled craftsmanship. Housed today at the Marlboro Historical Society, this boot was the beginning of a storied commitment to design expertise and quality.
1889
FROM STEAM TO ELECTRICITY
The Frye factory was the first of the nearly twenty firms in Marlboro to convert from steam to electrical power for its operation. Making Frye the first factory in town to run on electricity.
1923
YEAR OF THE GOODYEAR WELT
One of the sturdiest of all footwear construction methods which also allows the boots to be repeatedly resoled. The adoption of the Goodyear Welt process proved so successful that two-thirds of Frye’s output consisted of Goodyear Welts by 1930 and three-fourths by 1936.
1923
JOHN ADDISON FRYE
After the death of his father Walter P. Frye, John Addison Frye (grandson of the founder) became the third generation of Frye men to act as President of the John A. Frye Shoe Company. He led the company until 1949.
1940s
THE FIRST FRYE
Our first cowboy boots, the Rancher started a western trend for Frye.
1943
WORLD WAR II
During World War II, Frye traveled the world from Normandy to Okinawa on the feet of US servicemen – even General Patton. News of Frye’s outstanding quality and reputation spread worldwide.
1950s
JET BOOTS
Half Wellingtons, nicknamed “Jet Boots,” were worn by countless navy and army men who continued to order them post-war, well into the 1950s.
1960s
CUSTOM-MADE BOOTS
Frye crafted custom boots for a number of well known people including Jackie Kennedy, Bing Crosby, Jerry Lewis, Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Ann Margaret, Walt Frazier, Laurel & Hardy, Candice Bergen, Liza Minnelli, Carole King, Gene Autry, even President Richard Nixon.
THE HARNESS BOOT
The birth of The Harness. Nothing says “Frye” like the signature harness ring and studs on The Harness Boot. Inspired by cavalry soldiers in the Civil War, The Harness Boot is an American icon.