Historic Customers

Sam Houston was a customer of the store, posthumously. In 1936, Shudde Brothers was asked to restore Mr. Houston's hat for display in his home in Huntsville, Texas, which was converted to a museum for the Texas Centennial.

The store is loaded with history of many famous customers such as John Wayne, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Tom Mix, Ernest Tubb, and Dr. "Red" Duke.

Neal Shudde speaking about Dr. "Red" Duke

John Wayne was a customer during Neal's father Weldon’s time. Here is a mosaic of our favorite photos of Mr. Wayne.

Neal on famous customers

This is the old main street in downtown Houston. "Shudde's Hats" is on the very left edge of the picture.

Shudde Bros outfitted the Mercury 7 astronauts in Stetson hats, 1962.

Read the Mecury 7 Astronauts COA Letter by Deke Slayton's wife, Bobbie.