Bankruptcy
The Great Depression began with the Stock Market Crash of 1929. In the years to follow, the U.S. unemployment rate eclipsed 25% and by 1932, American industrial production had declined by over 50%. In 1932, Stall & Dean declared bankruptcy and its Chicago factory was permanently closed. It is unknown if the bankruptcy was limited to the company's Western division or if it was company-wide; however, Stall & Dean continued to produce goods from its Brockton factory.
Hockey Goods
Originating on frozen ponds in the 1850's, ice hockey was primarily a Canadian sport until it began migrating south in the 1890's. Yale and Johns Hopkins were the first universities to field hockey teams in 1893, and the first American ice hockey league was formed in 1896. Canadian professional hockey leagues founded in the late nineteenth century wouldn't have an American-based team until 1924, when the Boston Bruins joined the National Hockey League. Teams from Pittsburgh and New York were added in 1926, and from Chicago and Detroit in 1927.
Hockey equipment ad, Stall & Dean 1933 Fall & Winter Catalog
Hockey equipment ad, Stall & Dean 1928 Fall & Winter Catalog
Maker Spotlight:
The History of Stall & Dean
The History of Stall & Dean
December 22, 2016
Page 4
Page 4
Football Endorsements
In 1926, Stall & Dean introduced a new line of football equipment endorsed by Jess Hawley, the legendary Dartmouth University football coach. Hawley led the Indians to an undefeated 8-0 record in 1925, and a shared national title with Alabama.
The company's new patented innovations including football pants with removable corrugated fibre thigh guards and helmets with inner form fitting leather crowns.
The company's new patented innovations including football pants with removable corrugated fibre thigh guards and helmets with inner form fitting leather crowns.
Stall & Dean - Jess Hawley Football Poster, circa 1925
95 Church Street Relocation
With increased demand for their expanded line of athletic goods, Stall & Dean soon outgrew their Foundry Street facilities. In 1917, Walter Stall moved Stall & Dean's manufacturing operation to the Lilly, Brackett & Co. building at 95 Church Street. The factory was built in 1880 and was one of the first shoe factories constructed in Brockton. Along with the Golden Sporting Shoe Company, Stall & Dean would occupy the entire second and third floor of the building. 95 Church Street would remain the company's headquarters until the 1990's.
In 1920, Walter Stall's son, Richard Godfrey Stall, left the Massachusetts Institute of Technology after his second year to join Stall & Dean as an apprentice in the Brockton office. He married Brenda Orrell in 1921, and was promoted to salesman shortly thereafter.
In 1920, Walter Stall's son, Richard Godfrey Stall, left the Massachusetts Institute of Technology after his second year to join Stall & Dean as an apprentice in the Brockton office. He married Brenda Orrell in 1921, and was promoted to salesman shortly thereafter.
Walter T. Stall, Dead
The leadership of Stall & Dean suffered an unexpected blow on October 16, 1925 with the death of its president, Walter Stall. According to newspaper reports, the 56 year old died of pneumonia at his home.
With Stall's passing, Charles Dean assumed the presidency of the company. Dean remained in Chicago, leaving Richard Stall responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Brockton plant. In 1927, Richard was named Treasurer of Stall & Dean.
With Stall's passing, Charles Dean assumed the presidency of the company. Dean remained in Chicago, leaving Richard Stall responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Brockton plant. In 1927, Richard was named Treasurer of Stall & Dean.
The Lowell (MA) Sun, October 16, 1925
Lilly, Brackett, & Co. building at 95 Church Street, c. 1890
The Passing of Charles Dean
On December 31, 1932, Charles Dean passed away at the age of 68. The relatively short time between the bankruptcy and Charles' death raises the possibility that his declining health may have contributed to the Chicago factory's demise.
Back in Brockton, at the age of 34, Richard Stall assumed the position of president and treasurer of Stall & Dean. Charles Dean was D.J. Golden's last partner in the Golden Sporting Shoe Company. By 1933, Golden relocated his operation from Stall & Dean's Church Street factory and Golden Shoes would no longer be advertised in Stall & Dean catalogs.
Back in Brockton, at the age of 34, Richard Stall assumed the position of president and treasurer of Stall & Dean. Charles Dean was D.J. Golden's last partner in the Golden Sporting Shoe Company. By 1933, Golden relocated his operation from Stall & Dean's Church Street factory and Golden Shoes would no longer be advertised in Stall & Dean catalogs.
Economic Doldrums
The remainder of the Great Depression (1929-1939) and the duration of World War II (1939-1945) were relatively unremarkable years for Stall & Dean. An extensive search of newspaper archives reveals a sharp decline in Stall & Dean advertisements between 1933 and 1945. In fact, the Stall & Dean company archives housed at the Smithsonian Museum of American History includes no catalogs or records between 1934 and 1947.
Roux & Kuentzel ad, Bakersfield Californian, December 14, 1932
The Fair ad, Oak Park Leaves (IL) June 24, 1932
Stall & Dean began manufacturing a limited line of hockey goods in the mid-1920's. In the early 1930's, the company introduced an expanded line of hockey uniforms and equipment that was designed, used, and endorsed by Jack Adams, the coach of the Detroit Red Wings.
