History & Notes: Chinese American pioneer, Polly Bemis, wore these petite tennis shoes during the later years of her life. As a young woman, Polly was sold into slavery and smuggled into the United States through San Francisco, California, and Portland, Oregon, until she reached Warren, Idaho. Here, she obtained her freedom and eventually married Charles (Charlie) Bemis. Polly and Charlie homesteaded along the Salmon River, 17 miles north of Warren where the historic Polly Bemis Ranch is still maintained.
Description: One pair of ankle high-top canvas shoes. Natural canvas uppers with black trim and laces from the top down to the toe. Metal grommet eyelets for lacing. Black ruber toe cap with same trim around upper margin of sole. Natural rubber sole with textured tread. On the inside of both left and right ankle is a black rubber disk stitched to the canvas.
Object Number: 1937.020.0000
Object: shoe, sport
Category: Men's Footwear
Circa: 1930
Materials: textile, rubber, metal, plastic