Founded in 1946, the Sebago® Company was started by three New England natives and friends: Daniel J. Wellehan Sr., William Beaudoin and Joseph Cordeau. The first shoe they released was a hand-sewn penny loafer. Sebago®’s penny loafer was inspired by the popular Indian moccasin and featured the company’s patented welt construction. It was a BIG success. With a firm foundation in quality and style, the Sebago® Company started to expand quickly.Established in 1946, Sebago was born from a consumer demand for quality, casual footwear. An owner of five independent shoe stores in Maine was determined to keep his stores stocked. So, in the true spirit of New England ingenuity he partnered with two local businessmen and created a handsewn footwear factory. The original shoe they made, the Sebago Classic beefroll penny loafer, is made the same way today as it was back then...handsewn with the finest craftsmanship.?
With avid sailors running Sebago in the late 60’s, they looked to create a functional, handsewn leather boat shoe. The Docksides was launched in 1970 to meet that need, and has grown to historic status. It is still being handsewn and finished the same way but new materials and colors have evolved the Docksides to casual shoe status. A practical alternative to the canvas boat shoes of the time, Docksides® brought dramatic growth to the company.?
