The Craddock-Terry Shoe Company was a powerhouse of American footwear manufacturing, founded in Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1888 by John W. Craddock, T.M. Terry, and A.P. Craddock. Starting as a wholesaler, the firm rapidly transitioned into manufacturing and experienced a meteoric rise, expanding production from women's, misses', and children's shoes to include men's lines. Through strategic acquisitions of competitors in the early 20th century and significant expansion into states like Missouri and Ohio, the company grew to become the fifth-largest shoe manufacturer in the world, with the capacity to produce nearly 100,000 pairs daily at its peak. Key product lines included popular brands like Natural Bridge, American Gentleman, and military footwear, with government contracts, especially during World War I and II, providing significant boosts in production and financial stability. Despite initial resilience through the mid-20th century, the company faced mounting competitive pressure from lower-cost foreign imports in the latter decades, leading to a decline in its manufacturing operations until the business ultimately ceased in the 1990s. Today, its primary legacy is preserved in its former Lynchburg factory and annex, which were renovated and reopened in 2007 as the historic Craddock Terry Hotel, a boutique establishment that celebrates the company's industrial history and dominant role in the region's commercial past.