If you know Fred Hyer, of Paola, you know he has quite a story to tell about his grandfather. You see, his grandpa, Charles Hyer, is credited with designing the modern day cowboy boot, way back in 1875, as well as other innovations across the United States.
Before then, boots in the 1800s had a big square toe with a flat heel. He developed a more pointed toe so it would fit the stirrup better and a raised heel so it would catch in there better too. As time went on they were the boots for the stars, with Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable wearing them. President Theodore Roosevelt wore Hyer Boots; President Calvin Coolidge wore Hyer Boots during the dedication of Mount Rushmore. The cavalry bought Hyer Boots; they made boots for members of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show during a stop in Kansas City in 1900, including Buffalo Bill, Pawnee Bill and Annie Oakley. Famous criminals, like Billy the Kid, Jesse James, Cole Younger, Pretty Boy Floyd and John Dillinger wore Hyer Boots.
Today, they are made in Mexico and shipped all across the world. Fred Hyer considers himself blessed to be associated with the boot company his grand father made so famous.
