Postcard from the Past: Welton’s Leather Hats Give Cowpokes Swell Heads
By: Dick Perue
Sixty-five years ago, Robert “Red” Fenwick wrote in the Denver Post:
People in the downtown area turned to stare Monday afternoon at a tall, handsome giant of a man wearing a leather cowboy hat – the latest and most sensational fad in the world of fancy cowboy garb.
The big husky gent was Rancher Roy Welton of Saratoga. He makes his own hats out of fine, beautifully-stitched boot leather in a variety and combination of colors with leather neckties to match.
And right now, Welton is wondering whether to stay in the ranching business or start making hats on a big scale.
He made one for himself as a hobby, then made some for friends. Now he has more orders than he can fill.
Soon after this article appeared, Roy and his brother Al sold their ranch property on the Hat and Pass creeks north of Saratoga and moved their families to town. Al became a successful contractor and home builder, while Roy realized his dream of outfitting cowboys and cowgirls.
An article in The Saratoga Sun, published on April 16, 1959, reads:
The official opening of Welton’s Western Wear is scheduled for Saturday. The new store’s proprietor is Roy Welton, originator of “Belle of the Westˮ leather Western hats, which are now mass produced by Tony Lama Boot Company of El Paso, Texas.
Welton will also sell the hats here and has orders this week for four to go to Denver.
In addition to the leather hats, Welton advertised he sold “Everything in leather – saddles, boots, chaps, purses, ties, you name it and we’ll make it! All exclusive leather styles by Welton.ˮ
The store was brimful of Western items and clothing for the working cowboy, as well as his lady and children.
Welton’s story goes back to the Marine Corps and a play called “Belle of the West.” He had a part in the play and made a broad-brimmed canvas hat for himself.
Roy remarked he later thought of the hat while working with leather as a hobby both in the Marine Corps and on the Melody Ranch. He turned out a leather hat for himself – the first – and the rest is history.
Fenwick wrote, “Welton’s hats are attractive, come in vivid shades including silver and gold and have laced or plain brim edges.”
Among owners of Welton hats are Gov. Milward Simpson of Wyoming, rodeo queens at several rodeos, TV Star Rex Allen and Joe Dekker, Denver theater man and vice president of the Roundup Riders of the Rockies.
The sombreros sell at a low price considering the detailed work involved – from $35 to $100.
In addition to the leather hats, Welton invented many other cowboy items. But that’s another Postcard from the Past.
