Founded in 1932 by brothers William (Bill) and F.M. (Mike) Brooks. The pair had lost their jobs in Columbus during the Great Depression. They moved to Nelsonville with their families in order to find work.

Clay and coal resources were being depleted, The Great Depression had set in and the McGovern Shoe Co. , that originally occupied the brick factory building, had closed leaving building vaccant.

The city of Nelsonville now owned the building and didn't want it sitting empty so they let the brothers have it rent free. The United Shoe Machinery Co. lent them the equipment they needed and the local residents raised $25,000 to pay the overdue property taxes on the building.

They started with 50 employees making 300 pairs per day of Goodyear welt shoes for men and boys. The William Brooks Shoe Company was incorporated in August 1932.