Founded in 1863, Frye is the oldest continually operated shoe company in the United States. Frye boots were worn by Union and Confederate soldiers during America's Civil War, as well as soldiers in the Spanish- American War including Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders. Frye boots traveled the world on the feet of U.S. soldiers during the war - even General Patton wore a pair. In the 1960's, Frye reintroduced the Campus Boot based on its 1860 original. The style featured a bulky toe and chunky heel that came to epitomize the attitude and the style of the 60's and 70's. The Smithsonian Institute, in their search for items to best represent 1960’s America, chose a pair of Frye Boots, which proudly remain on display today. The very first pair of Frye Boots was benchcrafted in 1863 and it still takes over 190 steps to make one pair of Frye boots.
