If you grew up in the 1950s you probably remember Keds, Converse, and maybe PF Flyers. Ball-Band? Never heard of them.
I have no memory of these shoes made by the Mishawaka Rubber & Woolen Mfg. Co. in Mishawaka, Indiana.
This ad is from the July-August 1951 Archie comic. It amazes me how many of the ads in this one comic are comics themselves. I did find a series of these comic ads online at ebay, but no actual information about how the idea came about or if they had running characters.
Click on image to see it larger.
The following is a little history of the Mishawaka Rubber & Woolen Mfg. Co. once located at 312 N. Hill St., Mishawaka, Indiana.
(Courtesy of the Mishawaka-Penn Public Library historical archives)In 1867 Jacob Beiger puchased a small wooden mill built in 1838 near the dam and Mishawaka Woolen Manufacturing Company was born. Incorporated in 1874, the company produced red flannel boots. Adolphus Eberhart and Martin Beiger invented All Knit Boots in 1886. They were made with a black band around the top and when a red ball was later added the Ball Band trademark resulted.Stakes were driven for the first rubber-making plant in 1897. In 1899 the company was authorized to build a new four-story warehouse. More improvements were added after 1900 because of an increase in sales. After Martin Beiger’s death in 1903, a 30-man syndicate took control of the company. Later, Mishawaka Woolen Company became a subsidiary of U.S. Rubber.In 1921 a five-story storage and warehouse building designed by Albert Kahn was erected. The name of the company was changed to Mishawaka Rubber and Woolen Manufacturing Company in 1923, and to Uniroyal, Inc. in 1967. All footwear manufactured by Mishawaka Rubber Company was discontinued in 1969, and, due largely to the price pressures from foreign competition, Mishawaka Rubber Company was dissolved. Uniroyal closed after filing bankruptcy on April 1, 1997. All the buildings were demolished/imploded a few years later. Today, the site is home to the C. Beutter Riverfront Park. (SOURCE: Goldstein, Deborah May. Made in South Bend/Mishawaka. Discovery Hall Museum, 1980.
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I miss this company......im only 23 but i own a pair of Ball Band shoes. Iv looked everywhere for new Ball Band shoes. Iv owned the same pair for about 4 years. They still look fresh & are still very comfy lol.
ReplyDeleteHappy hunting! I hope you find another pair.
ReplyDeleteWe found a toolbox style box for Mishawaka co. trademark and everything on it, we would like to date it. It has the red ball band trademark on it, and a signature on it. any ideas?? it looks almost as old as the 1800's and its wooden, so it may be possible, right?
ReplyDeleteI would guess it is possible. Not being an expert on anything all I can do is post your comment and hope in time someone responds to your question. Good luck. And if it is authentic, what a great find.
ReplyDeleteI also picked up a big box (probably 4 feet by 2 feet) at a thrift sale this summer. It has the same markings with the ball and text and looks like it is pretty darn old. It is so pretty!! It is now the bench in my kitchen. Also wondering how old this is and now that i've cleaned and waxed (oops!) if it has any value!
DeleteWhat a great find!
ReplyDeleteThe sport shoes, particularly the high top athletic shoes were called RED BALL JETS.
ReplyDeleteNot Ball Band, that was the company trade mark.
My mother worked at Ball Band for 46 years, retiring in 1990. My father worked there 42 years. Much of my childhood was spent at factory events -- for quite some time in factory areas such as the shoe room where employees and families could buy shoes, boots, fabric, naugahyde and other things as factory seconds. In the 60's, you could get a good pair of Red Ball Jets or Keds for 25 cents a pair. (You're right that the trade mark was Ball Band -- look for the band with a red ball on it!)
DeleteI love hearing all of these stories about the company and the people who worked there. It's amazing how a little piece of old paper can give back so much. Thank you Loret for your comment!
DeleteMy Mom and Dad did also, Kim and Doris Glass.
DeleteMy Mother and several Aunts worked at Ball Band probly in the early '40's during World War II and even later after the War. As I remeber they all thought highly of their jobs there. Lots of friends were made there-lifetime friends !
ReplyDeleteThat's nice to hear that a company would be well thought of by its employees. Glad you shared the memories.
DeleteI have a pair of men's Ball Band boots with 4 buckles. A date is stamped inside, but can't make it all out. Possibly December 1, 1932 0r 1942. Is this the manufacture date of these boots? If so, are they worth anything? They're in great shape!
ReplyDeleteI have no idea. The extent of my knowledge is in this post. But how great is it to have such an old pair?
DeleteMany of my family members on both sides worked for this company. I grew up with these shoes! My Grandfather Charles Lee Glaes, was on the Board of Directors. My Father James Alan Glaes, worked in Management as well My Mother Doris Lee (Harness) was a line supervisor and My Aunt and Uncle her bros and sis worked there as well. My Aunt, worked in fuel cells during the war..... Sandra Lee Glaes
ReplyDeleteGlad to add another comment for someone with personal knowledge of the company. I've been amazed at how many people remember the company so fondly.
DeleteMe and my brother ( Walt Harmon) worked the night shift in Fuel Cells back in the 50,s, My dad was a supervisor in the soles department
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting that you found this post. I bet you have some good stories to tell about your days there.
DeleteMy Dad, Howard H. Smith was a travelling salesman for Mishawka, starting in 1934. HIs territories took him from his start in Roanoke, VA (where I was born in '35) to Washington, PA and then to Buffalo, NY where we were when WWII broke out. The salesmen were called into the plant to work for the war effort, and after quite a few months he found housing for us where we joined him in 1943 to live in South Bend, IN. He left his employment with Mishawaka some time in early 1944 and we relocated to my parent's home town in Zanesville, OH where my parents lived till they died. One of the few memories I have of our time in Indiana is that he brought home scraps of rubber from work and I was the only kid in the neighborhood who had a regular supply of slingshots!
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful memories. Love about the slingshots. Thrilled you posted this.
DeleteI just found a pair of
ReplyDeleteBall band all wool moth proof boots!
They are from 1879! And look really cool!
The barn was built in 1847.
That's amazing. If you want to share a photo I'd be happy to post it with this piece.
DeleteMy dad bought me a pair of ball band boots, rubber, to wear in 1960. I am 70 and still wearing them. Best quality boot On The Planet !!!
ReplyDeleteI like to hear stories like that. They used to make things that lasted. I still have a pair of boots I bought at Thom McCann in the 1960s. They'll never wear out.
DeleteMy father started in the mail room when he was 15. He worked his way up to supervisor. We were also treated to go into the shoe basement. What a one of a kind experience to climb in the open cabinets on the floor to try shoes on. And the naugahyde rafts were great. Not only did they roll up and you could take them to the beach, because they never sink, but you could throw them on the floor and sleep on them because they were soft enough. If we drove thru Mishawaka and the week end, we would wave to all the people in their yards. Great group of people. Course that was when you would stop and talk and the next thing you knew(as a child) we were getting out of the car to eat and play with other children. Was a great time.
ReplyDelete