Kirkendall Cowboy Boots

Three things I know about Kirkendall Boot Co. Their shop was in Omaha, Nebraska. They made a darn good pair of Cowboy boots and Nebraska cowboys wore Kirkendall cowboy boots.

Cowboys at the Spade Ranch

Northeast of Ellsworth, Nebraska ca. 1903

I've owned several pairs of Kirkendall Cowboy boots. All have strong lines and are well proportioned. The undershot heels taper perfectly, they were made to hold a stirrup. The "tongues" are big and wide, designed for wearing spurs.

Early 1940s Challenger Pee Wee Cowboy Boots

Kirkendall's "stock boot" was the Challenger. Good looking and well made. Nothing fancy. Utilitarian Cowboy boots comparable to any stock boot made by Hyer or Justin. Service grade shoulder leather. Bold inlays. Simple stitch patterns. Square toes. Double thick soles and Kirkendall heels. The Challenger was the Nebraska cowboys' working boot.

1930s Diamond K Cowboy Boots

Kirkendall made custom boots for cowboys too. Alternately referred to as "Diamond K" or "Bench Made", these boots were hand made and are top quality Cowboy boots. Beautifully hand-crafted using premium grade hides. Classic 1930s inlay patterns and hand stitched. Perfectly tapered undershot heels. Masterfully crafted toes.

1930s Bench Made Cowboy Boots

Kirkendall created the ultimate "Nebraska" Cowboy boot. Appreciated and loved by hard-working cowboys who wanted the best.

Photography: J. Davis
Nebraska Cowboy Line Photo: Collection J. Davis
1930s Diamond K Cowboy Boots: Collection B. Cowan

John A. Stryker

A man of many talents. Photographer. Rodeo Announcer. Penmanship Professor. Marksman. Stryker's passion for life and photography knew no bounds. His photographs append meaning to the the old saying that "a picture is worth a thousand words".

"Downtown Cowtown"

Exchange Avenue, main entrance to the Fort Worth Stockyards. 1962

Bedell's Saddle Shop

Rodeo Parade Riders with a pair of 8-Foot Texas Longhorns. 1960

Greyhound Bus Terminal

Ninth and Commerce Streets. Fort Worth, Texas. 1954

True West Motel

U.S. Highways 60 and 66 East. Amarillo, Texas. 1956

A remarkable man and a determined photographer. Today, he is best remembered for his "Stryker's Rodeo Gloss Series" of postcards.

Dick Griffith, Famous Rodeo Star

Wild Brahma Bull Riding Contest. c. 1946

Fancy Roping Champion

Chester Byers making a Six-Horse Catch. c. 1946

All photography: John A. Stryker / Photos: Collection of J. Davis

Recommended Read: The Rodeo of John Addison Stryker

Sweet Pee Wee's

"Pee Wee" style Cowboy boots. Custom made in the late 40's by H.J. Justin and Sons. Joe Justin and his sons defined style in Cowboy boots for many years. They made an excellent Cowboy boot in those days...

Killer Toes

Justin's Lil Cowpoke

Classic Inlays

Photography: J. Davis
Recommended Read: Standard of the West - The Justin Story

Andy and Noble Dixon

Andy and Noble Dixon started Dixon's Boots in 1889. Their first shop was in Ardmore, Oklahoma. In 1946, the brothers moved the business to Wichita Falls, Texas.


Extraordinary pair of peewee Cowgirl boots. Made in the 1950's by Dixon's Boots in Witchita Falls, Texas. A pair of the finest vintage Cowgirl Boots I've ever owned. Perfect proportion and balance. Masterful execution. Artistry defined.

Art of the Boot. Cowboy Boot as Art.

Dixon's Boots, under the supervision of Andy and Noble, made some of the finest and most striking Cowboy and Cowgirl Boots around.

Cowboys bought them... Dixon's boots would hold a stirrup.

Movie stars bought them... this is Dixon's "Hollywood" toe.

Hank Williams bought them... because Dixon's Boots kick ass.

Andy and Noble retired and sold the business in the 60s. The new owners changed the name to Dixons... no apostrophe, no Boots. Service and quality soon declined and they closed up shop in the early 1980s.
These Dixon's Boots were offered for sale on my website. A true Cowgirl Boot nut bought them. They are the centerpiece of her very strong collection of vintage Cowgirl Boots..

Boots: Collection of C. Fant / Photography: J. Davis

Bee Ho Gray, The Forgotten Cowboy

Bee Ho Gray

Bee Ho Gray. Cowboy. World Champion Trick Roper. Rodeo Trick Rider. Knife Thrower. Movie Cowboy. Banjo Player. Animal Trainer. Cowboy Entertainer Extraordinaire. A tip of my 10-gallon to Mr. Clark Gray for bringing Bee Ho back into the light. Mr. Gray's dedication and determination is commendable.

Vintage "Eagle" Cowboy Boots

Bodacious Boots

A great pair of Saturday nite specials. Cowboy boots made by Don Quijote in 1978. Cristobal Romero managed the shop in Leon Mexico back then. He had a excellent eye for balance and proportion. He also set very high standards. No cardboard. No plastic. No nails. The boot makers who worked with him produced many pairs of fine quality Cowboy boots in those days.

This pair came from El Vaquero on the corner of 4th and Main Street in Tijuana. Their business card reads

Fight Smog
Buy A Horse

Good advice then. Better advice now...

Jim Stuckenberg, Cowboy Artist

Jim Stuckenberg. Cowboy. Ranked Bull Rider. Horseman. Artist... his work is from the inside out. Like the work of Til Goodan and Will James, Stuckenberg's art draws from intimate knowledge and experience. 'nuff said.

"Stayin' On"