Nocona · History
Why collectors care
Nocona is the shelf name collectors meet on mid-century lizard and later Justin Brands SKUs. Need: independent Enid Justin era vs post-1981 subsidiary? Nocona plant vs later consolidated COO? Person card ≠ shelf card.
See Enid Justin for her biography; this article follows Nocona’s company history and identifying marks.
Company history
- 1925: Enid stays when the brothers move H.J. Justin & Sons to Fort Worth. Nocona Boot Company operations 1 September 1925 (flag a soft 1925 ops vs 1926 incorporate conflict).
- 1926+: Oil-field lace-up demand.
- 1947–49: Larger U.S. 82 plant; Western Store 1949 (TSHA).
- 1960s–70s: Production climb; Vernon plant 1977; about $19.4M sales by 1980 (TSHA).
- June 1981: Justin Industries acquires Nocona (option-contract litigation is flagged in bios — do not adjudicate).
- 1999: Nocona plant closed; the brand continues as a Justin Brands SKU family.
- 2000+: Berkshire Hathaway / Justin Brands (with Justin, Tony Lama, Chippewa).
Shelf map
| Brand | Niche |
|---|---|
| Nocona (this page) | Enid house / classic / lizard value |
| Justin Boots | Fort Worth flagship (Spanish Fort origin) |
| Tony Lama | El Paso exotics |
| Lucchese | Luxury SA→EP |
| Chippewa | Justin Brands sibling — not covered by a separate Encyclopedia article |
Known for
Mid-century lizard worth hunting