Posted by Kevin Neilson on 1/10/2012

William and F.M. �Mike� Brooks together founded the William Brooks Shoe Company, in Nelsonville, Ohio in 1932. A brave move for two men who had lost their jobs in the Great Depression, the brothers sought to achieve the American dream.
They managed to procure the use of a factory, without rent, and borrow some equipment. With all their hopes and determination poured into it, the brothers developed the company that would become Rocky Brands.

At first, the company managed with fewer than 100 employees, making 300 pairs of shoes each day. As their shoe sales took off, the Brooks brothers built an addition on the factory and installed more equipment to employ 225 people and make 2,000 pairs of shoes per day. This growth occurred in only the first few years of business.

During the 40s and 50s and World War II, the production of boots and shoes for the military brought the company even greater success. But, with a later decline in sales, in 1958 William Brooks offered the sale of his business to the Irving Drew Shoe Company. His nephew, John Brooks, wanted to take over, but William refused his nephew�s offer. He told his nephew there was no future in the shoe business.

John Brooks stayed on with the company, and when it struggled in 1975, and the owners wanted to shut it down, he took the opportunity to buy back the family business and revitalize it. In 1977, John�s son, Mike, received an award for his �Rocky Boot,� the original design. From there, the Rocky brand moved steadily forward.

In 2004, the now-called Rocky Shoes & Boots Company purchased EJ Footwear acquiring, among other things, the Durango brand. Durango boots have since lead the competition with inventions such as SPR leather and Comfort Core Insoles.