This History of How Maine’s L.L. Bean Came to be is Really Quite Remarkable & a Must Read

When it comes to businesses started in Maine that have garnered global recognition, probably the most famous one that immediately pops into mind is none other than L.L. Bean.

According to the company website, L.L. Bean was founded by Leon Leonwood Bean. Leon first invented the Maine Hunting Shoe back back in 1911, about a year before the sinking of the RMS Titanic.

The following year, in 1912, Bean began promoting his new hunting shoe to other sportsman around the country using out-of-state mailers. However, he faced some issues as problems with the new boot began to surface including separation of the bottoms and tops of the boots.

Several years later, according to L.L. Bean's website, arctic expeditioner, Admiral Donald MacMillan, gave a raving endorsement of Bean's boot, saying in part about the footwear, “My men are very enthusiastic over their experience with your foot equipment on our last Arctic Expedition, finding it extremely practical, especially for fall and spring work,” 

By 1924, Leon had introduced the company's field coat and by 1927 the L.L. Bean catalog was voted the best in the United States. This gave even more credibility to Leon's mission of building the best outdoor apparel brand that he could.

To add even more of a spotlight to L.L. Bean and his outdoor mission, in 1933 Eleanor Roosevelt made a trip to the Freeport store. Though she really wanted to, it's said that Eleanor didn't buy her husband the fishing boots he had wanted. However, to make sure she left with something, Leon gave her a trout knife to give to her husband, the President.

By 1934, Leon had created another mainstay of the L.L. Bean line and introduced the zipper duffle bag smack dab in the middle of the great depression. And, despite the great depression, L.L. Bean still managed to rake in a whopping $1,000,000.00 in 1937, according to the company history.

Over the coming years, Leon Leonwood Bean would go on to create several more 'viral' products including life-like hunting decoys, ice fishing bags, fly fishing accessories and even moving into ladies' apparel.

By the 1950s, the store had become a 24-hour one-stop-shop for all things outdoors and was a raging success both with its brick and mortar and with its nationwide magazine publication.

Leon Leonwood Bean would lead the company for many more years until his death in 1967 ar age 94. It was then that his grandson, Leon Gorman, would be promoted to President of the L.L. Bean Corporation.

By 1979 L.L. Bean had launched its outdoor discovery program which brought with it the first Freeport Winter Classic. By 1984, the flagship Freeport store had been completely remodeled and the famous trout pond was added.

In the coming decades the store would expand its offerings, locations and features, including the addition of the drive-able L.L. Bean boot in 2012.

Over the decades, Leon and his subsequent presidents have built the store into one of the most recognizable outdoor brands in America. And now, the flagship store is set to get another round of upgrades.

According to WGME 13, the flagship Freeport store will be getting some renovations in the coming months which include a new main entrance and even larger-then-before trout pond.

However, I've always wondered, would I get kicked out if I tried fishing the trout pond? Better yet, has anyone else ever tried? I'd love to hear from you if so.

Get our free mobile app