Symbols & Food
The Cowboy Boot
The cowboy boot evolved from practical mounted-work footwear into one of Texas's strongest visual symbols; lawmakers made it the official State Footwear in 2007 and named El Paso the state's Boot Capital in 2025.
- Roster rank
- #249
- Category
- Symbols & Food
- Subject type
- Symbol
- Profile source
- Published Texas Icons profile
Texas story
Story and significance
The modern cowboy boot evolved during the post-Civil War cattle-drive era as bootmakers adapted riding footwear to cowboys' needs, including high shafts, riding heels and shapes that worked with stirrups. Texas was central to that evolution, but the historical record does not support claiming that one Texan or one shop invented the form alone.
Texas bootmaking developed enduring centers and companies: H. J. 'Big Daddy Joe' Justin began making boots in Spanish Fort in 1879, Lucchese was founded in San Antonio in 1883, Tony Lama established his El Paso business in 1912, and Nocona developed its own bootmaking tradition. Western films, rodeo, country music and fashion later carried the boot far beyond ranch work. The Legislature designated the cowboy boot official State Footwear in 2007 and El Paso official Boot Capital of Texas in 2025.
Defining work
What to know
- riding heel and high shaft
- Texas trail-drive history
- Texas bootmaking
- official State Footwear
- El Paso Boot Capital
Timeline
Key milestones
- 1866-1890The major cattle-drive era accelerates demand for specialized riding boots used by working cowboys.
- 1879H. J. Justin begins bootmaking in Spanish Fort, Texas.
- 1883The Lucchese bootmaking business is established in San Antonio.
- 1912Tony Lama establishes his bootmaking business in El Paso.
- 2007The 80th Texas Legislature designates the cowboy boot the official State Footwear of Texas.
- 2025The Legislature designates El Paso the official Boot Capital of Texas.
Texas connections
Places in the story
Spanish Fort and Nocona
North Texas communities associated with the Justin and Nocona bootmaking traditions.
Early home of Lucchese bootmaking beginning in 1883.
El Paso
Longstanding bootmaking center and official Boot Capital of Texas since 2025.
Legacy
Why the story lasts
The cowboy boot bridges working-ranch equipment and ceremonial Texas identity, appearing in rodeo, music, politics, fashion and everyday dress.
Texas's significance comes from generations of makers and users rather than a simplistic single-inventor story, and El Paso's 2025 designation formally recognizes one of the state's major bootmaking centers.
Sources
Research trail
Cross-linked profiles