The Thompson Brothers Boat Manufacturing Company of Peshtigo, Wisconsin was founded in 1904 by Peter and Christ Thompson. Peter had learned boat building by previously working for the Racine Boat Company and for Chris Smith, founder of Chris-Craft. In 1924, Thompson Brothers expanded and added a second factory located in Cortland, New York. Thompson Brothers built wood canoes through 1962.
Indentifying Features:
Distinctive deck profile
Distinctive planking pattern
Distinctive stem profile during certain time periods
Metal strap joining gunwales under deck
If half ribs present, stringer covers ends of half ribs
Commonly found models:
Indian Model: Standard Thompson model, does not have half ribs.
Hiawatha Model: Built on the same mold as the Indian Model, has half ribs with ends covered by stringer.
Ranger Model: This model has a very flat sheer.
Detailed Model Information:
Thompson Brothers Canoe Models
| Model | Years | LxWxD | Stem Profile | Half Ribs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiawatha | 1921-1946 | 16 x 33 x 13 17 x 34 x 13 18 x 34 x 13 | Torpedo Nose | Yes | |
| Indian | 1907-1927 | 15 x 32 x 12 16 x 33 x 12½ 17 x 33 x 12½ 18 x 34 x 12½ | Traditional | No | |
| Indian | 1928-ca.1950 | 15 x 32 x 12½ 16 x 33 x 12½ 17 x 33 x 12½ 18 x 34 x 12½ | Torpedo Nose | No | |
| Indian | ca.1950-1959 | 16 x 35 x 12 | Traditional | Optional | Same as 1937-50 Ranger ? |
| Voyageur | 1910-ca.1914 | 15 x 32 x 12 16 x 33 x 12½ 17 x 33 x 12½ 18 x 34 x 12½ | Traditional | Built on same mold as Indian of same era. |
|
| Ranger | 1937-ca.1950 | 15 x 35 x 12 16 x 35 x 12½ | Traditional | Optional | Similar to 1907-28 Indian |
| Ranger | ca.1950-1959 | 15 x 35 x 12 16 x 35 x 12½ 17 x 35 x 12½ | Traditional | Optional | Flat Sheer |
| Agawam | ca.1922 | Like Indian |
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| Canadian | ca. 1907 | 15 x 32 x 12 16 x 32 x 12 17 x 32 x 12 | Traditional | Low Sheer | |
| Hudson Bay Canoe | ca. 1936 | 16 x 35 x 13 | Extreme at Ends | Yes | |
| Camp Canoe | 1936-ca.1939 | 16 x 33 x 12¾ 17 x 34 x 12¾ | Torpedo Nose | 3" Tumblehome |