I'm trying to learn about a drum corps "stovepipe" boot with top buckle on the lateral side, which I think was known by the name "Miss Houston" in the 70's. The majorettes in the attached pic (?) are wearing what appears to be the current Gotham lookalike ("Biker" boots), complete with yucky plastic shafts. I'm sure the original had decent leather vamps; backs, and tops (shafts); and the outsoles were welt-stitched on the mighty Landis K, not glued or McKay stitched. Heels on the original (at some time in the past) were hard leather-core with hard rubber toplifts, like most of the majorette boots of the day. (Gotham and Acme, usually) Many of today's boots look like Wal Mart rejects and actually contain warnings about not overloading the zipper; or the shaft will explode!

As an amateur bootmaker who's likely to retire back into the trade, I'm always looking for info. on this model. You would have to be an ex-majorette at least in her 50's to remember them; but they are worth bringing back in the original quality. We kill a lot of meat cows; and white shoe sides are both cheap and plentiful. Plastic has never made a good boot nor ever will! Dancing; marching, or just walking feet deserve better.

Any memories?

(I KNOW the Kilgore College twirlers-not the Rangerettes-wore them into the early 80's at least.)

I believe we wore the same style boot in black in the 70's (early 80's)as well. They became very difficult to find and you are absolutely right about the plastic and the zippers! I am not quite sure where you would find any now. We always got them re-soled and if you outgrew them you resold them within the corps! I don't know what happened to mine when the group finally decided to go with "ked style tennis shoes" for parades.

Thanks for your information. Yes, a welted sole is easy to replace; but it must have taken over a hundred miles of marching to wear down that thick neoprene! I've seen metal dance taps worn completely down as well; but aluminum is no good for wear on the street...bell bronze wears and sounds much better on majorette boots.

I called Acme Boot back around '92; but they had already discontinued all parade models. Gotham is not the answer, either; but with the internet, a quality Brazilian maker hopefully can be found. Otherwise, it's back to lasting tacks and bloody fingers!