Howes Leather

 

Howes Leather Company was founded in 1920 in Frank, Pocahontas County, West Virginia. The company began as a small tannery, but it quickly grew to become one of the largest producers of shoe sole leather in the world.

Howes Leather's success was due in part to the abundance of natural resources in Pocahontas County. The county is home to large forests of oak and hemlock trees, which provide the bark needed to tan leather. Additionally, the county has a plentiful supply of water, which is essential for the tanning process.

Howes Leather employed hundreds of people at its peak, and it was a major economic driver for Pocahontas County. The company also played an important role in the community, supporting local businesses and organizations.

However, the leather tanning industry began to decline in the late 1970s and early 1980s. This was due to a number of factors, including the increasing popularity of synthetic materials, foreign competition, and environmental regulations.

The former Howes Leather tannery is now vacant, but it remains an important part of the history and culture of Pocahontas County. The tannery is a reminder of the county's once-thriving leather tanning industry, and it is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the people who worked there.

In recent years, there has been growing interest in preserving the history of Howes Leather and the leather tanning industry in Pocahontas County. The Upper Pocahontas Community Cooperative is working to establish a museum at the former tannery office building. The museum would tell the story of the tannery and its impact on the community.

The history of Howes Leather is a story of both triumph and tragedy. The company was a major success for many years, but it was eventually forced to close due to economic and environmental factors. However, the legacy of Howes Leather lives on in the hearts of the people of Pocahontas County