Smith-Worthington Saddlery Company

The Smith-Worthington Saddlery Company was founded in 1794 by Normand Smith and operated continuously in Hartford until it closed in 2021 after 227 years of business. The company was the oldest saddle making company in America and produced saddles, harnesses, and other equipment for horseback riding.

Normand Smith operated the business under his name from 1794 to 1818. With different partners, including Normand Smith's sons, Thomas and Charles, the company operated under various names throughout its history including "Smith and Bigelow," "N. and T. Smith," and "Smith, Bourn and Co." among others. As business grew and expanded, a branch opened in New Orleans in 1833, and another branch opened in New York City in 1842. In 1905, the New York and Hartford firms merged under one name, "Smith-Worthington Co. Inc."

In the 20th century, the company began to produce other leather goods including leather holsters, leather fishing bibs, dog collars and muzzles, cartridge belts, and more. During World War I, the company produced harnesses and saddlery for the armies of the allied nations. With the rise of the automobile, the company made automobile accessories and with the rise in popularity of dogs as pets, there was also an ever-growing market for dog harnesses and collars. Horse riding, however, continued to be a popular activity for pleasure and exercise, so there continued to be a market for saddles and other horse-riding equipment.

In 1928, John Allen Roberts purchased the company and changed the name one final time to "Smith-Worthington Saddlery Co. Inc." In 1957, Clinton C. Hanks purchased the company from John Allen Roberts. In June 1961, the factory was razed to make way for the East-West Expressway known as Interstate 84, and the company moved to 287 Homestead Avenue in Hartford. In 1995, Clinton's son Curtis took over and became president of the company. Curtis ran the business with his wife, Ruth Hanks.

In the 21st century, Smith-Worthington continued to produce saddles, but limited their production to exclusively English-style saddles. By 2016, the company was largely an importer of saddles from other countries including England and Argentina and consisted of just 5 employees. Curtis Hanks passed away on August 16, 2020, and the Smith-Worthington Saddlery Company closed in 2021.