Founded in 1863 by John A. Frye, The Frye Company is the oldest continuously operated shoe company in the United States. Mr. Frye ran the business for nearly 50 years and after his death in 1911, his family continued to run the business until 1945. Frye's footwear has a long and illustrious history... When homesteading sparked adventurous New England families to head West in the mid and late 1800s, many of those pioneers wore Frye boots along the journey. Frye's Harness Boot is rooted in tradition and continues to draw inspiration from the American Cavalry. During a 1938 trip to Washington, D.C., John A. Frye's grandson and namesake met a U.S. Navy Admiral who noted his difficulty in finding the Wellington styles he liked so much. As a favor, John agreed to make him a pair. Frye continued to fill these requests for boots through World War II. By mail order, the company supplied thousands of servicemen with Frye Wellingtons, known as Jet Boots. Our boots traveled the world on the feet of American soldiers during the war -- even General Patton wore a pair. Today our classic Harness Boot holds a treasured place in American culture, has been featured in international fashion spreads, and enjoys strong sales all over the world. In the 1960s, Frye re-introduced the Campus Boot based on its original 1860s original. The style featured a bulky toe and chunky heel that came to epitomize the attitude and the styles of the 60s and 70s. There was nothing like a ""new"" Frye boot on the market, and consumers began to demand ""Original Fryes."" The Smithsonian Institute, in its search for items to best represent America during the Sixties, chose a pair of Fryes that proudly remain on display today. The Frye brand remains true to its heritage and vintage American roots with finely crafted, fashionable boots, shoes and leather goods featuring rich leathers and quality hardware.