Editing Stetson (section)

==Boss of the Plains==
[[File:1800s Boss of the plains.jpg|right|thumb|[[Boss of the plains]] hat]]

Stetson's western adventures came to an end in 1865. Stetson, then 35 years old and in better health, returned east and established his own hat firm in [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]], which produced high-quality hats for outdoor use. After producing some initial designs based on popular styles of the day, Stetson decided to create a hat based on his experiences in the American West, which he called  the "[[Boss of the Plains]]".<ref name="ReferenceA">Stetson Century, Ralph Richmond 1965</ref> The high-crowned, wide-brimmed, soft-felt western hats that followed are intimately associated with the American cowboy image.<ref>Snyder, Jeffrey B. (1997) ''Stetson Hats and the John B. Stetson Company 1865–1970'' 1997 pg5 {{ISBN|0-7643-0211-6}}</ref>

The original "Boss", manufactured by Stetson in 1865, was flat-brimmed, had a straight-sided crown with rounded corners.  These lightweight, waterproof hats were natural in color, with four-inch crowns and brims.<ref name="Snyder">Snyder, Jeffrey B. (1997) ''Stetson Hats and the John B. Stetson Company 1865–1970'' pg 73, pg 51 1997 {{ISBN|0-7643-0211-6}}</ref> A plain hatband was fitted to adjust head size.<ref>Bender, p. 54</ref> The sweatband bore John B. Stetson's name.