About
Pendleton Clothing
Company History
140 Year Celebration
In
1863, traveling down the Atlantic seaboard, crossing the Isthmus of Panama
on a burro, and sailing up the Pacific coast was a grueling four-month passage.
Yet for Thomas Kay, a young English weaver, it was a dream come true. An
old hand at sea voyages, he had already crossed the Atlantic years earlier
to work at east coast textile mills. With skills honed, he was now headed
to an area with ideal conditions for growing sheep and producing wool. A
place with moderate weather and plentiful water - America's newest state,
Oregon.
Kay helped organize Oregon's second woolen mill in Brownsville, where he
oversaw the weaving operation. Soon he was made a superintendent of the
company. In 1889, Thomas Kay opened his own mill in Salem, Oregon. From
these humble beginnings rose a dyed-in-the-wool American success story.
Thomas Kay's eldest daughter, Fannie, learned the mill business and ably
assisted her father in mill operation and management. When she married retail
merchant C.P. Bishop, a complementary combination of merchandising and manufacturing
expertise emerged - a solid foundation for what was to become Pendleton
Woolen Mills.
This dual textile-retail heritage was passed on to the three Bishop sons,
Clarence, Roy and Chauncy. In 1909, with family and town backing, the Bishop
sons purchased an idle mill in Pendleton, Oregon.
A major railhead serving the Columbia Plateau, the town of Pendleton was
a wool shipping center for sheep growers of the region. The mill, originally
built in 1893, began as a wool scouring plant, which washed the raw wool
before shipping. Due to increased freight tariffs on the shipment of scoured
wool, the business soon became unprofitable.
In 1895, the scouring plant was enlarged and converted into a woolen mill
which made bed blankets and robes for Native Americans. This venture also
failed and the mill went idle. Upon purchasing the mill in 1909, the Bishops
constructed a new, more efficient mill building with aid of a local bond
issue. In September of that year, the first products emerged from the new
finishing department and the tradition of Pendleton Woolen Mills began.
The production of Indian blankets resumed as the Bishops applied intuitive
business concepts for quality products and distinctive styling. A study
of the color and design preferences of local and Southwest Native Americans
resulted in vivid colors and intricate patterns. Trade expanded from the
Nez Perce nation near Pendleton to the Navajo, Hopi and Zuni nations. These
Pendleton blankets were used as basic wearing apparel and as a standard
of value for trading and credit among Native Americans. The blankets also
became prized for ceremonial use. Under the direction of its new owners,
Pendleton expanded into other areas of woolen manufacturing. In 1912, the
addition of a weaving mill in Washougal, Washington, broadened its capability
for fabric variety, including suitings.
Wool shirts for men were largely utility items in the early 20th century.
Drab in design and color, they were worn for warmth and protection from
the elements by those who worked outdoors. Clarence Morton (C.M.) Bishop
had a vision for wool shirts in vivid colors and intricate patterns. The
production of woolen shirting material was a natural extension of the mill's
capabilities. In 1924, the legendary Pendleton virgin wool men's shirt was
born. By 1929, Pendleton was making a full line of men's virgin wool sportswear.
The untimely death of his brother, Chauncy, in 1927 left C.M. Bishop with
full responsibility for the management of Pendleton Woolen Mills. Roy Bishop
had moved on to own and manage the Oregon Worsted Company in 1918. With
his parent's support, Clarence was now the guiding force of this growing
enterprise.
A new thread was woven into the Pendleton corporate cloth in 1949 - womenswear
manufacturing. Market research identified a need and an opportunity for
branded virgin wool classic sportswear for women. Nevertheless, no one could
have predicted the enormous success of a single garment introduced with
the Pendleton womenswear line that year. The 49er jacket gained instant
popularity. Its simple, casual styling and intrinsic value were a perfect
match for the emerging suburban lifestyle of postwar America. As the apparel
division thrived, Pendleton responded to a consumer need for non-wool garments
to compliment its fine woolen coordinated within the fall and winter lines.Yet
brand loyal customers wanted the same classic Pendleton look for all seasons.
In 1972, Pendleton became a year-around sportswear resource, introducing
distinctively styled, non-wool menswear and womenswear for spring and summer
wear.
Historically, Pendleton products were distributed through selected traditional
department and specialty stores. The 1980's saw Pendleton apply its considerable
retail experience to building a retail division that encompassed both company
and privately owned specialty stores. These stores offered consumers a full
selection of Pendleton products and provided greater access to Pendleton
products across the country. The thread had now come full circle, for this
direct involvement in the retail sector harkened back to C.P. Bishop's original
clothing store in Salem, Oregon.
Pendleton has thrived under the direction of the Bishop family. Today the
company owns and operates 14 facilities that encompass all aspects of its
operation. For many years, Clarence's sons, C.M. Bishop, Jr. (Mort) and
Broughton (Brot) Bishop, acted as co-executive officers, and both continue
to participate in company management. Brot is now Chairman and CEO and Mort
is Vice-Chairman.
Today, their sons have assumed administrative roles in the company. C.M.
Bishop III is president while John and Charles are both involved in mill
and financial management. Another son, Peter, is involved in the Catalog/Internet
Division. This family thread continues to produce Pendleton leadership with
a legacy of hands-on management.
From the office, to the
golf course or just relaxing at home, Pendleton ® suits, plaid jackets,
pants, wool sweaters and pleated skirts will dress you in style and comfort.
Lightweight, wrinkle resistant and easy to care for, Pendleton ® will
always remain a favorite. We are a company that enjoys making Pendleton
® available to enhance your wardrobe. |
