Monday, November 18, 2013

Stormy

Now that fall is winding down, and winter is gearing up, I am starting to see guys wearing their  "Kromer caps."    I remember my dad wearing his Kromer cap where ever he went.  Dad's hats were black, with a blue/green lining.  He had two; one for every day and one for Sundays.  When dad would come in the back door, and the ear flaps were down, we knew it was really, really cold and windy out!!  



My father-in-law wore Kromer Caps too.  His Sunday one was red!!!


Here's the story of the Kromer Cap:

Retired semi-pro baseball player, railroad engineer and general tough character Stormy lost a few too many hats to the icy wind whipping through his locomotive.  (Stormy's home was about two blocks from where my husband grew up. )

On a cold morning in 1903, Stormy asked his beloved wife, Ida, to help him modify one of his many hats from his baseball days by sewing earflaps on the thing. The newly revised cap also featured a soft felxible visor and was a great departure from the traditional engineer hats of the era. But to Stormy, the best part of his modified cap was that it managed to stay right where it belonged - on his head - high winds and all. 



And that's it. 
That's where is all began. 

It was just a matter of time before the Stormy Kromer cap became so popular’ first among other locomotive engineers’ and then among all the hard-working folks in the upper Midwest’ that in 1919 Stormy created the Kromer Cap Company,  moving with his wife and employees to a large manufacturing factory in Milwaukee. 

From that point on he spent the rest of his days as a hat maker. Anyone who's ever owned a genuine Stormy Kromer has undoubtedly said several words of thanks for the man's diversity. 

Today, the Stormy Kromer cap manufactured in Ironwood, Michigan, is still made true to its original design continuing to protect all those who wear one throughout the North.  

Grandpa's hat hangs on a hook in our four season's room.  It looks so perfect hanging there during the winter months!!  Gives one that up-north feel.



And that's the way it is.....................


19 comments:

  1. Interesting information! No Kromer caps in Florida, and I don't remember ever seeing them in Ohio, as far as that goes, but they do look warm!

    ReplyDelete
  2. how very cool! i've not heard of this cap, but i sure like its history!

    ReplyDelete
  3. That is definitely an 'up north' looking wall! I had never heard of the Kromer cap and I'm from NW Wisconsin, for Pete's sake. But now I'm thinking maybe the cap I'm thinking of that is black and red plaid wool and looks like that is a Kromer cap. Never heard that it had a name. So interesting!

    ReplyDelete
  4. they're are beautiful hats, I have never saw them before, and its time for sure in these parts its a blizzard right now!

    ReplyDelete
  5. What an interesting bit of history. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Interesting . I did not know of this ! Papa here wears the British sports car cap they are called and they have the flaps inside for those cold windy days in the summer he wears base ball hats . Thanks for sharing , have a good day !

    ReplyDelete
  7. Nice to read the story behind the hat. Red hat look so good.We don't get this type of hat.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Interesting. I have seen them but wasn't aware of the history or even the name. Necessity really is the mother of invention.

    ReplyDelete
  9. my first ever sighting of a Kromer hat, but daddy had one with furry ear flaps that dropped down in cold weather. similar but not the same...Stormy was a smart man and i am betting a rich man to.

    ReplyDelete
  10. hehe....i am too young to know this story ;)

    i liked the part about judging the outdoor temperature by "weather" (pun intended) or not the flaps were down ;)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I have one of those caps and love it--especially when the wind is blowing--but mine is black. The other night when we were swimming at the hot springs I saw a little girl with a bright pink one--told Michael I needed a pink one to go with my pink Muck boots. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. How interesting. I had never heard of that cap, but it sure looks like it would keep your head and ears warm. Neat that you have your Dad's hanging to always bring back those good memories.

    ReplyDelete
  13. That's a great tale! We don't get as cold as you do, so I never see those kinds of hats here.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I suppose its true...you learn something new everyday...this was my lesson! I think I've seen them worn by older actors on old Black & Whites...am I right?
    Thanks for sharing...

    ReplyDelete
  15. Looks like a great way to keep warm on these chilly days.

    ReplyDelete
  16. They have begun making caps for women too! I love the design and the red and black plaid is a favorite pattern! Thanks for telling the story that goes along with the marvelous hats. I Think that is a perfect spot for it too...next to the skis:)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Well, that is very interesting. I had never heard of these hats before, but they look like something that would do well in Vermont. It was only 18 degrees here this morning. i didn't go out without my knot cap.

    ReplyDelete
  18. My grandpa wore those and I never knew they had a name! Grandpa's had black and red checks. Wish I had it to hang on a peg and declare I live "oop nort" .

    ReplyDelete