When my son Austin and I walked into the Sheplers store located in San Antonio, Texas, his eyes open wide as he exclaims, "Wow. Dad, this is some store. It's Huge." He was exactly right as Sheplers is the worlds largest western wear retailer. They were around long before his generation or even my own. The business roots date back to 1899 even before the late Harry Shepler was born.

Michelle Crite is the owner and designing artist behind “Red STAR Riggings” a new upcoming line of Western Hats. These fashionable hats quickly become the admiration of any cowboy or cowgirl. At the 2009 Houston Stock Show and Rodeo, Noel Orsak wore her custom hat by Red Star Riggings. Her new hat became the fancy of everyone she talk too.

May of 1865, General George Armstrong Custer had completed his US Civil War duties and was ordered to Texas to command a division of US Cavalry. Texas was of vital importance during reconstruction preventing the possible invasion of Emperor Maximilian’s Army from moving across the Mexican border.

HATS —