A lesser-known overalls brand from the late 19^th and early 20^th Centuries, Indian Head was launched as the apparel and workwear brand of Irwin-Phillips Co. of Keokuk, Iowa. Keokuk was an important trading post, where the Des Moines and Mississippi Rivers meet, and had been a fast-growing industrial hub in the early years of the American west.

— THIS BRAND IS NO LONGER IN PRODUCTION —

ABOUT

Keokuk was named for a great native American leader of the Sauk people. He was perceived as a friend to the burgeoning American nation and had made great accommodation to support the development of the western frontier.

Keokuk town was named for him, being located close to his tribe’s final home. Keokuk’s face and likeness were well known in these parts and were familiar to the residents of the so-named town.

The town was an important stopover point for many passing workers and mountainmen, heading north and west to seek their fortune, and following in the footsteps of the Voyageurs and fur trappers that had gone before them. It was also a major stop on the Mormon Trail for Latter Day Saints seeking a new life in Utah, Arizona, Nevada, Iowa and California.

In later years, many would also come to Keokuk as an industrial destination in its own right. These men needed the garb, and Irwin-Phillips produced the garments. A department store, Irwin-Phillips launched the Indian Head brand in approximately 1871 using Chief Keokuk’s likeness as their logo – already in use as the store’s masthead.

With the construction of the big dam project in the town in 1913, Irwin-Phillips would introduce their Big Dam workwear label and phased out the Indian Head brand. Big Dam would become much better known as a well-regarded maker of overalls, coveralls, chore coats and dungarees. Morotock Manufacturing Co. of Danville, Virginia also released their own line of overalls and workwear called “Indian Head” from 1899.

Irwin-Phillips ultimately discontinued manufacturing garments in the 1960s before the store was closed completely in 1984. Its’ iconic building would be demolished to make way for a new bridge crossing the river. You can read more about Irwin-Phillips here.

Big Dam and Indian Head apparel are highly sought after by American and Japanese collectors with deadstock pieces fetching quite a premium. The Indian Head brand is particularly rare. These clothes are rarely used as true workwear today, given their limited availability, however they were once held in high esteem as a go-to maker for rugged, durable gear. You can pick up the odd Indian Head piece on online auction and retail sites (ebay.com and etsy.com tend to be the best options, if you would like to use our affiliate links provided), or by visiting your local thrift stores.

If you know more about the history of this brand that you can tell us, we would love to hear from you in the comments. Even better, if you have Indian Head pieces you would like to sell, drop a link below.

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