Michaelson
One Too Many
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[Thought I'd split this thread up so I could follow up with some pics and info on this style hat from Peters Brothers in Fort Worth Texas --Moderator]
Correction...LBJ did NOT wear an open road. He wore and kept on order a 'Shady Oaks', made specially by Peters Brothers hat co. of Ft. Worth. You can see a photo of him picking one up from Tom Peters Sr. at their website. It's a bit taller than the open road, but has all the attributes of the Stetson at first glance. I only know this for certain as I had quite a nice discussion about this with Tom Peters (Jr.) while visiting the shop last month. Unfortunately, they have not made a Shady Oaks for quite a while due to a breakdown of the old machinery that they made the hat with (not sure what the piece was, but this was what I was told). LBJ was a regular customer of PB almost all his life.
Truman also owned and wore Shady Oaks, but he switched back and forth between the Stetson and the PB at will, simply due to the fact that the PB was so much taller, and it didn't fit Truman (a fairly short man himself) as well as it did LBJ. Tom Peters prided himself to be sure to make his Shady Oaks for 'all good Democrats'. He gave one to every President in office since the early 1920's...even Republicans, stating 'they could have been a good Democrat if they tried.' (grins) Wish I had been able to meet the man, but unfortunately he passed away in 1991. He leaves a fine son, Tom Jr., who, with his wife Nelda, are a REAL treat to know and talk with. Regards. Michaelson
Correction...LBJ did NOT wear an open road. He wore and kept on order a 'Shady Oaks', made specially by Peters Brothers hat co. of Ft. Worth. You can see a photo of him picking one up from Tom Peters Sr. at their website. It's a bit taller than the open road, but has all the attributes of the Stetson at first glance. I only know this for certain as I had quite a nice discussion about this with Tom Peters (Jr.) while visiting the shop last month. Unfortunately, they have not made a Shady Oaks for quite a while due to a breakdown of the old machinery that they made the hat with (not sure what the piece was, but this was what I was told). LBJ was a regular customer of PB almost all his life.
Truman also owned and wore Shady Oaks, but he switched back and forth between the Stetson and the PB at will, simply due to the fact that the PB was so much taller, and it didn't fit Truman (a fairly short man himself) as well as it did LBJ. Tom Peters prided himself to be sure to make his Shady Oaks for 'all good Democrats'. He gave one to every President in office since the early 1920's...even Republicans, stating 'they could have been a good Democrat if they tried.' (grins) Wish I had been able to meet the man, but unfortunately he passed away in 1991. He leaves a fine son, Tom Jr., who, with his wife Nelda, are a REAL treat to know and talk with. Regards. Michaelson
