Our Heritage

Olegario Mandujano becomes a logistics driver for his older brother’s boot company. He distributes merchandise in all of western Mexico from Guanajuato to Durango Mexico.

Olegario Mandujano meets Gema Leticia Rodriguez while she is vacationing in Leon Guanajuato, Mexico. They get married 1 year later.

Olegario Mandujano ventures out to create his own boot company. This risk re-shapes his legacy.

Olegario Mandujano is contracted by Zapateria 3 Hermanos and Casa Sanchez one of the most distinguished shoe stores in Mexico for their sale of quality footwear. These contracts increase Mandujano production close to 600 pairs weekly.

Severe recession occurred in the early 90s for Mexico. The crisis of the devalued peso and recession affects investors and manufactures. This includes Mandujano boots. A large amount of banks collapsed and the price of raw materials sky rocket. This forces Olegario Mandujano to decrease production and eventually cease all production and close Mandujano boots.

Olegario Mandujano emigrates to the United States of America. He arrives in Weslaco, Tx.

Olegario Mandujano sells all machinery that was left in Mexico and begins to work in construction.

Olegario Mandujano begins to scout ideas and the possibilities of re-opening Mandujano Boots in the U.S. He knows he cannot compete with production in the United States but is aware people in America value custom made art. He puts together a business plan and presents it to a bank.

With the funds he made from selling his machinery in Leon Guanajuato. Olegario Mandujano finds a small location at 229. S Texas Blvd Weslaco, Texas and re-opens Mandujano Boots.

Olegario Mandujano’s first customer Feliciana Salinas enters the store making Olegario’s first transaction for a shoe repair. (Cost of repair $1 dollar).

Olegario Mandujano works on the first pairs of custom-made boots. He does repairs on shoes and boots during the day and works on custom made orders during the night as he and Gema Mandujano are the only employees at the time.

Ramon Ayala Mexican musician, composer and songwriter of Norteño music purchases custom boots for himself and his team Los Bravos del Norte.

Olegario Mandujano starts making boot for the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Rangers and Chiefs of Police across Hidalgo County.

Hidalgo County Judge Eloy Pulido purchases several pairs of custom boots from Mandujano Boots.

Olegario Mandujano is interviewed an article titled “Craftsman creates boots by hand” runs in the newspaper The Monitor.

Olegario Mandujano is interviewed an article titled “Craftsman creates boots by hand” runs in the newspaper The Monitor.

Mandujano Boots is thriving and Olegario Mandujano’s new customer list increases as he starts to meet and greet with law enforcement, lawyers and ranchers all over south Texas.

Olegario Mandujano begins to scout the possibilities of expanding their small shop as his customers increase.

Olegario Mandujano receives a call from the fire marshal, Mandujano boots catches fire due to old insulated wire and about 60 percent of the store and merchandise is ruined.

The construction for Mandujano boots new home is running for the second time.

Olegario Mandujano becomes ill and forces sons Andres and Olegario Mandujano II to start running the family business.

Olegario Mandujano along with his sons Andres and Olegario Mandujano II.

Olegario Mandujano becomes ill for the second time and steps down. Andres and Olegario Mandujano II are assigned to take over in his absence. Olegario Mandujano is on a waiting list to receive a organ transplant.

The Mandujano family received the greatest Christmas gift as Olegario Mandujano receives a call and is ready for his transplant.

As Olegario Mandujano recovers, Andres Mandujano is interviewed and an article titled “BOOTMAKERS CARRY ON SOLEFUL TRADITION IN THE MID-VALLEY” runs in the newspaper The Monitor.

Mandujano founder Olegario, becomes ill and dies at his home in Weslaco Tx. Sons Andres and Olegario take over the business.

Andres and Olegario Mandujano exectue the plan of Mandujano founder had in place. “The purchase of new machinery to speed up the bootmaking process.

Andres and Olegario Mandujano rename Mandujano Western boots to Mandujano Bootmaker in memory of Mandujano founder Olegario Mandujano Sr.

Mandujano Bootmaker is exhibited in the Museum of South Texas History and RGV bootmakers.

Due to the increase demand for out of town trunk shows. Andres and Olegario Mandujano adds a 7×16 enclosed trailer to the business.

Mandujano Bootmaker is featured in Texas Monthly December edition. Andres and Olegario Mandujano II are added as the new master bootmakers of Texas.