Bootmaker
Salvatore “Sam” Maida
Salvatore “Sam” Maida was a Sicilian-born shoemaker who arrived in Houston in 1883 and opened Maida & Cuccia, a boot and shoe shop, that same year. He sent for his teenage son, John L., who was apprenticing at the bench by age 14, and Sam died in 1901. The family business he started grew into what is now known as Maida's.
Known for
Founded the Houston shop that became Maida's
Related: Maida's · John L. Maida · Salvador J. Maida Jr.
Biography
History
Salvatore "Sam" Maida was a Sicilian-born boot and shoe maker who arrived in Houston, Texas, in 1883 at age 33. That year he opened Maida & Cuccia in downtown Houston with partner J. C. Cuccia, who handled cleaning and laundry work rather than bootmaking.
By 1893 Maida had sent for his son, John L. Maida, who was apprenticing in the shop by age 14. Salvatore Maida died in 1901. The company's own history describes its early customers simply as "hard working boot and shoe wearers," without using the word cowboy for the original 1883 shop.
The business continued as Maida's, later carried on by bench names including Salvador J. Maida Jr. and Richard Salazar, documented in a 2002 profile.
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Historical references are cited with the history above.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.