Lucchese Bootmaker Timeline

1868

A Shoemaker Is Born

Salvatore “Sam” Lucchese is born in Palermo, Sicily, into a family of shoemakers. From the start, he learns that boots are not just leather and nails — they are identity.

1882

NEW BEGINNINGS IN TEXAS

Salvatore Lucchese immigrates to the United States of America. He reportedly arrives in Galveston, Texas by ship, which sailed from Palermo, Italy. Salvatore Lucchese arrived with his brother Joseph Lucchese.

1883

THE FIRST WORKSHOP

They open a small shop near Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, making boots for cavalry soldiers who depend on them for long days in the saddle. A legacy takes root.

1897

FIRST CUSTOMER ON RECORD

Mr. W. Shock buys kangaroo-skin boots with a 1.5-inch heel for $9. His name becomes the very first line in Lucchese’s order book.

1898

Marching Past the Shop

On July 4, the First Texas Cavalry parades past Lucchese’s Houston Street workshop, a moment that cements the brand’s place in local life.

1910s-1920s

A Ranching Legacy

In 1910, Lorenzo Quesada from Mexico became Lucchese’s first international customer, marking the beginning of the brand’s global reach. At the same time, Sam Lucchese’s involvement in San Antonio’s Spanish-language theaters rooted the company deeply in Mexican-American culture.

By 1921, Lucchese’s reputation had reached Texas ranching royalty. Robert J. Kleberg Sr. of the legendary King Ranch purchased a pair of Lucchese boots for $37.50 — the first step in a partnership that helped define the ranching aesthetic of the American West.

1927

Boots for Aviation Pioneers

General Frank Purdy Lahm, an Army aviation pioneer, orders custom military boots for $40 — proof that Lucchese served leaders at the cutting edge of history.

1929

The End of an Era

Sam Lucchese passes away while playing dominoes at home. His son Cosimo incorporates the business as Lucchese Boot Company, ensuring the family name carries on.

1930s-1940s

LuCCHESE ENTERS THE SPOTLIGHT

Hollywood’s fascination with Lucchese began in 1934, when actress Josephine Hutchinson bought her first pair. By 1942, icons like Bing Crosby followed, sparking decades of celebrity loyalty — from actors to musicians and even U.S. presidents.

In 1949, Lucchese’s growing cultural influence took another bold step with the launch of the State Boots Collection — a handcrafted series celebrating U.S. states through symbols, flowers, and birds, blending Western artistry with national pride.

1960s-1980s

legacy evolves: a new chapter

After Cosimo Lucchese’s passing in 1960, his son Samuel J. Lucchese carried the family craft forward. In the 1970s, ownership shifted to Blue Bell, but the dedication to handmade excellence stayed unchanged. By 1986, Lucchese found a new home in El Paso, beginning the next era of growth.

2009

Recognized by Texas

The State of Texas honors Lucchese as part of its cultural and historical heritage, acknowledging the brand’s contribution to the Lone Star identity.

2012