ca. 1935. Rows of completed boots line the shelves at the Bone Dry Shoe factory. The Tacoma company was most famous for making sturdy, long lasting work boots. In the thirties, much of the work was still done by hand by skilled shoemakers.

Bone-Dry Shoe Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Shoe industry--Tacoma; Shoemaking--Tacoma; Factories--Tacoma--1930-1940; Boots;

In this photograph from February 1935, an unidentified shoemaker pounds nails into the sole of a leather high-top work shoe or hiking boot at his workbench in the Bone Dry Manufacturing Company building at 2115 Pacific Avenue. Bone Dry manufactured top quality boots in Tacoma for nearly 40 years. Built in 1919, the Bone Dry building, now occupied by McGranahan Architects, still reveals its history in the paths wore in its wooden floors by several generations of cobblers and pattern cutters.

Bone-Dry Shoe Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Shoemakers; Shoe industry--Tacoma; Shoemaking--Tacoma; Factories--Tacoma--1930-1940;

In February of 1935 an unidentified shoemaker at the Bone Dry Shoe Manufacturing Company, 2115 Pacific Avenue, used a sharp blade attached to his index finger to cut the leather for a high-top work shoe or boot. The blade is attached to the index finger of his right hand with a leather band. Bone Dry manufactured top quality boots in Tacoma for nearly 40 years. In 1943 their Paul Bunyan Pack Boot, which was "waterproof as a glass jar and warm as a fur-lined overcoat" sold at Abercrombie & Fitch for $25 per pair. Built in 1919, the Bone Dry building became the home to McGranahan Architects in 2000.

Bone-Dry Shoe Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Shoemakers; Shoe industry--Tacoma; Shoemaking--Tacoma; Factories--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Bone Dry Shoe Manufacturing Company. One of three shoe makers stops for photographer in cutting room. He is wearing an apron and leaning over a workbench. A leather wrapped finger contains cutting blade. (Also see images #7 and 10).

Bone-Dry Shoe Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Shoemakers; Shoe industry--Tacoma; Shoemaking--Tacoma; Factories--Tacoma--1930-1940;

George Miller, Jr, a shoemaker at the Bone-Dry Shoe Manufacturing Company factory in Tacoma, 2115 Pacific Ave., used a heavy duty industrial sewing machine in February, 1935, to sew the welt and insole to the upper of a boot. For nearly 40 years, craftsmen and craftswomen at Bone-Dry produced "corks", the standard footwear for loggers, and various other styles of boots and shoes. The Bone-Dry factory building is now home to McGranahan Architects. TPL-8549

Bone-Dry Shoe Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Shoemakers; Shoe industry--Tacoma; Shoemaking--Tacoma; Factories--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Bone Dry Shoe Manufacturing Company. Two men working beside window at shoe crafting machines surrounded by racks of leather work shoes, boots which the company specialized in.

Bone-Dry Shoe Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Shoemakers; Shoe industry--Tacoma; Shoemaking--Tacoma; Factories--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Bone Dry Shoe Manufacturing Company. Shoe maker at stamping machine places iron sole mold on piece of leather between press. Other molds sit on shelf below "Master Wood Welded Brand" maple block.

Bone-Dry Shoe Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Shoemakers; Shoe industry--Tacoma; Shoemaking--Tacoma; Factories--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Bone Dry Shoe Manufacturing Company. Individual assembly process of making leather high-top work shoe and hiking boots which the company specialized in. Four men working at shoe crafting machines.

Bone-Dry Shoe Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Shoemakers; Shoe industry--Tacoma; Shoemaking--Tacoma; Factories--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Bone Dry Shoe Manufacturing Company. Shoe maker cuts pattern for toe of boot as part of the assembly process in making leather high-top work shoes and hiking boots which the company specialized in. Several patterns and pieces of leather on table.

Bone-Dry Shoe Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Shoemakers; Shoe industry--Tacoma; Shoemaking--Tacoma; Factories--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Bone Dry Shoe Manufacturing Company. Three shoe makers cutting patterns for leather high-top work shoes or hiking boots which the company specialized in. Three men cutting patterns at table which is well lit with large windows and overhead lights.

Bone-Dry Shoe Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Shoemakers; Shoe industry--Tacoma; Shoemaking--Tacoma; Factories--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Bone Dry Shoe Manufacturing Company. Leather pieces for high-top work shoes or hiking boots are stitched by women and men shoe makers at industrial sewing machines in large room of factory. TPL-1687

Bone-Dry Shoe Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Shoemakers; Shoe industry--Tacoma; Shoemaking--Tacoma; Factories--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Bone Dry Shoe Manufacturing Company. Shoe maker working at machinery with vise and handles to hold leather high-top work shoes or hiking boots which the company specialized in. He is affixing side leather onto the sole.

Bone-Dry Shoe Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Shoemakers; Shoe industry--Tacoma; Shoemaking--Tacoma; Factories--Tacoma--1930-1940;