This information page is a collection of references and guidelines concerning the dress of the people Old Town San Diego and Alta California from 1821 to 1872.

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park Period Attire Guide

A comprehensive collection of period attire and fashion from California's 1800s can be found in the Sutter's Fort State Historic Park Costume Manual. This manual can be obtained by order from the Sutter's Fort Trade Store. For details, price and order arrangements contact the Trade Store at:
(916)442-4966 or at

SUTTER'S FORT EMail - Your Point of Contact will be:

Michael E. "Sparky" Anderson

PERIOD ATTIRE

GUIDANCE and RECOMMENDATIONS

Fugawee Corporation
3127 Corrib Drive
Tallahassee, Fl 32308

1-800-749-387

Tim Bender
c/o
TP&H Trading Co.
121 Carriage Drive
Birdsboro, PA 19508

610-582-0327

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Fugawee Corporation
3127 Corrib Drive
Tallahassee, Fl 32308

1-800-749-0387

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Mattimore Harness
509 South Second St.
Laramie, Wy 82070

307-745-8460
 

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Men's Period Attire

In order to help docents and park aides with their period attire, the period attire committee thought it would be helpful to publish a list of resources. It is hoped that
over the next several months, we able to will be to list the very best
sutlers/vendors that we know of. Some docents personally own products from all of the
companies that are recommended.

For hats, you can't get any better than the ones made by Tim Bender.  All of
his hats are custom made.  His company is called TP&H Trading Co.
http://www.timbenderhats.com/         He makes the best and most
historically correct top hats available today.  Please, don't order his
bowlers. porkpie, stevenson, plug or purves hats.  They are great hats but,
not correct for San Diego in our time period.

For shoes, Mattimore Harness now makes a really great civilian men's shoe
they call them the Spencer Tie shoe.  They are at
http://www.civilwarboots.com/index.html  The pair that our docent has look great and
fit great.

The Fugawee Corporation     http://www.fugawee.com/    has been making men
and women's period shoes for many years.  Their "black smoothout brogans"
are also good for a civilian man's impression.  Both companies also make
boots.  If you want boots please make sure that the type of person that you
are portraying would be wearing boots.

The Fugawee "Civil War" boots are also fine for a civilian impression. Many
photo's of California men in the 1840's and 50's show men wearing boots
either inside or outside of their trousers. They also work for the 1860's.

Ladies, the women that we know who own Fugawee ladies footwear, like them.

BOOTS & BROGANS

Here's another manufacturer which is reported to recreate boots and brogans of the 19th century period. You will see from their WEB site, the boots and brogans are good for both men and women. The URL for the WEB site is:

  http://www.tlbootsnbrogans.org/

Rennick's Boots produces a fine reproduction of a boot from the 19th century. I've seen the reproduction they make for a 1870s boot, square toe and tapered heel - the top of the boot I've seen was a single piece top - not seemed and the workmanship was exceptional.