Riser Boot Shop

LOCATION: Main Street

All Sites, Tours, Shows, and Rides at Historic Nauvoo are FREE!

George Riser Boot Shop

Shoemakers were important craftsmen in Nauvoo in the 1840s. This shop was one of thirteen shoemaking establishments. Shoemakers made and repaired shoes, while cobblers only repaired them. A pair of finished shoes cost $1.75, and boots cost $5.00.

This shop belonged to George Riser. He was born in Germany and owned a prosperous shoemaking business in Ohio. When he was introduced to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint, he sold his business and with his wife, Christiana, and infant son, John Jacob, traveled 500 miles to Nauvoo to learn more of this new religion. Soon after they arrived, their baby became very ill. Joseph Smith blessed him and he was immediately healed. This event greatly influenced the Riser’s conversion. They were baptized in the Mississippi river in December 1842, when a hole was cut in the ice to perform the baptism.

Riser used shoe lasts like these to create the right size shoe for his customers

The Risers left Nauvoo in 1846. They arrived in Utah in September, 1847. They were eventually the parents of nine children.

Don’t miss this restored shop. You will see how a boot factory operated, and learn how boots and shoes were made in Nauvoo.