Herter's--Waseca, Minn. Around 40 miles NW of Albert Lea. In the early 60's my Dad started getting Herters catalogs. Besides "The Holy Bible", Herters catalogs were a sportsman's bible. Had everything ya needed from hunting, bows, guns, boating, fishing, reloading, camping, etc. As a 12-13 or so old, I devoured every page and believed every word George Leonard Herter wrote about his 'World Famous' this and that, about all of the junk from Japan on the market in the US. Not for 'real' sportsmen, but for 'the drug store outdoorsmen' who don't know what they're doing. Had three of his books--a hoot to read. Prior to around 1966, all we did was mail order form Herters, then one day I went with my Dad and his cousin to Waseca, around a 90 mile drive from our North Central Iowa home. I was afraid I was going to wet my pants walking into their retail store. Like a kid in a candy store!!! Still have a number of Herter camping stuff, knives, fishing lures.
After I got to be around 20-21, some friends and I used to make the trip to Herters 3-4 times a year on a Saturday afternoon. Fun trip and fun buying. Sad when they closed down. Retail experts say it was the changing times, the 1968 gun control act, and the springing up of stores more like Herters. Herters was the seed though of all of the Cabela type stores though I believe. A real treat in sporting goods history. Over the years I've bought three old Herters catalogs just for remembrance of the good ol days. (a 1961, a 1965, and a 72)--Fun just to sit and leaf through them. Sometimes I see them at junk shops, flea markets, and gun shows. They're getting a pretty good price on them.
Last edited by Savage94C; 09/30/20.
