Carhartt

Hamilton Carhartt lived in Jackson in southern Michigan before moving to Grand Rapids, known for its furniture manufacturing, where he did business with his father-in-law Stephen Alling Welling. In 1882, the family moved to Detroit and sold furniture under the name Welling & Carhartt. Carhartt as a manufacturer of workwear was founded in 1889 by Hamilton Carhartt as Hamilton Carhartt & Company. The company was aimed at, among others, railroad workers who needed durable workwear. Carhartt had noticed the demand when he traveled around as a salesman and was constantly asked if he had overalls to sell. After several moves, the company ended up on Michigan Avenue in Corktown, Detroit. In 1905, the name Hamilton Carhartt Manufacturer, Inc. was adopted.