Graham-Letcher Hat Co.
Location: 418-420 Louisiana @ Prairie
Messrs John W. Graham and Jack C. Letcher chartered the Graham-Letcher Hat Company in January 1910. They believed Houston was the ideal location to create the “Southwest’s leading market for headwear.”
This business partnership lasted for two years until Jack Fletcher decided to try his luck in the automobile industry. With his departure, the company was renamed Graham Hat Company.
Graham Hat Company remained at their 418-420 Louisiana location until June of 1915, when the establishment relocated to 601-603 Franklin Avenue.
In December 1935, Graham Hat Company was forced to relocate to 426 Washington @ Franklin due to damages suffered in a flood. The floodwaters were 7 – 9 feet deep and the company, among many others, suffered considerable property and inventory losses.
Graham Hat Company relocated again in August 1937 to 1114 Franklin Avenue. This would be their 3rd Franklin Street location and their fourth location overall.
In early 1947, the company moved again to its final location at 209 Jackson Street.
After owning and operating the most successful hat company in Houston and arguably all of Texas for over 50 years, Mr. John Wesley Graham died in November 1966.
Today, the Lyric Tower stands where the Louisiana Street location once stood.
