Bootmaker
Lucien Little
Lucien Little was a traveling shoe salesman who settled in San Antonio and opened a small repair shop, Little's Boot & Shoe Hospital, in 1915. The repair shop grew into a custom bootmaking business built for working cowboys, made to be comfortable and take a licking. His son Ben and grandsons carried the business forward as Little's Boot Company.
Known for
Founded Little's Boot Company in 1915
Related: Little's Boot Company · Ben Little
Biography
History
Lucien Little founded the San Antonio, Texas shop that became Little's Boot Company. According to KSAT (5 March 2015) and the company's own history, he was a traveling shoe salesman who, in 1915, settled down and opened a small shoe repair store — called Little's Boot & Shoe Hospital in the company's account — that evolved into a bootmaking shop.
His early customers were working cowboys, and the boots were built to be comfortable and durable. The San Antonio Report (21 February 2024) adds that in the 1950s he moved his home and workshop to Division Avenue in San Antonio, an address the company still uses.
His son Ben Little and grandson John Little carried the business forward; grandson Dave Little is documented separately. No birth or death year for Lucien has been documented.
Sources
Identification and markings
Maker-specific markings guidance has not been documented yet. Preserve the complete stamp and compare it against dated sources.
Sources and references
Historical references are cited with the history above. Each catalog record includes its own supporting evidence.
Encyclopedia references: CowboyBootsDB and maker archives linked where available. Historical dates and attributions can vary by source.