G.H. Bass & Co.
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The G. H. Bass & Co. shoe factory, Wilton, Maine; from a 1914 postcard. Built on Wilton Stream in 1904 and known as No. 1, the factory closed in 1998.
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| Industry | Footwear |
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| Founded | 1876 |
| Founder | George Henry Bass |
| Headquarters | Wilson Stream |
| Brands | National Plow Shoe |
| Website | ghbass |
G.H. Bass & Co. is an American footwear brand founded by George Henry Bass in 1876.
George Henry Bass (b. Wilton, Maine, 1843) began to work in 1876 in the shoemaking business as junior partner in E.P. Packard & Co. in Wilton. By 1879, he became the sole owner, and changed the company name to G.H. Bass & Co. In 1887, the factory moved to Wilson Stream in order to use water-powered machinery.
The National Plow Shoe is created for farmers in 1892. In 1906, the 1st Bass moccasin made is the “Bass Moccasin Cruiser”, designed to be a light and flexible shoe worn by woodsmen. By 1906 G.H. Bass & Co. becomes incorporated. In 1910, “Rangeley” style moccasin is created, and seven years later G.H. Bass & Co. created the Ski Moccasin. By order of the government, in 1918, G.H. Bass & Co. created The official Aviation Boot. It was designed for use in high altitudes wielding protection from the extreme cold. In 1920, G.H. Bass & Co. created a new style of moccasin called the “Woc-O-Moc”. Due to the evolution of the company’s core products, in 1924 the Bass Shoe “For Hard Service” becomes “Bass Outdoor Footwear” in G.H. Bass & Co. catalogs. After the death of George Henry Bass in 1925, his sons John R. Bass and Willard S. Bass took over management of the business (Willard Bass becomes President and John Bass becomes treasurer). In 1926, the firm opened In-Stock Department at 1104 Commerce Street in Dallas, Texas, to service Southern shoe dealers quicker. In 1928, the firm sued Abbott Co. for infringement of patent for Overlap Seam and trademark of the “Quail Hunter” and “Ike Walton” styles, but lost the suit; in 1929, Bass bought Abbott Co., in order to reacquire exclusive rights to the overlap seam and Ike Walton, “Sportocasin” (Moccasins with spiked soles, golf shoes). During 1928 through 1938 Admiral Richard E. Byrd wore Bass ski boots during the First, Second and Third Antarctic Expedition. In 1931 the firm. opened an office in N.Y. on the 25th floor of 11 West 42nd Street New York, N.Y. in The Salmon Tower Building. During 1936, Bass “Weejuns” are first made. Four years later, in 1940 the original suede “Buc” style is created. In 1948, the firm. outfitted the American Olympic Team with footwear. During WW II, the firm developed a cold-weather boot for U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division. In 1967, Sunjuns, a Women’s sandal is first introduced. As they continue to grow in 1968, G.H. Bass & Co. acquired Burgess Shoe Store; giving the firm flexibility of direct retail outlet. In 1969, the firm acquired Rosemount Engineering Co.’s Consumer Product Division (Minnesota).
In 1978, Chesebrough-Pond’s Inc (Greenwich, Connecticut) purchased G.H. Bass & Co.; they sold it to PVH Corp. in 1987. In 1980, the first G.H. Bass & Co. Country Shop was opened at the May Company Store in Viejo, California. That same year G.H. Bass & Co. began to publish in-house newspaper called The Bass Inner Soul.
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