
ABOUT AMES
AMES is the leading manufacturer of hand-powered landscaping tools in the world and one of the oldest consumer brands in the United States.
From its founding in a blacksmith shop in 1774, AMES has grown into a global family of brands marketed through major retailers in the U.S., Canada and Australasia.
Today we continue to build on the AMES legacy of manufacturing quality tools for big tasks, whether that means creating a backyard oasis for family and friends or laying the foundation for a skyscraper. Through quality craftsmanship and inspired innovation, we have established leading positions across numerous product categories.
THE AMES COMPANIES – BUILDING AMERICA
AMES® HISTORY

1774 JOHN AMES BEGINS MAKING TOOLS

1774
JOHN AMES BEGINS MAKING TOOLS
One man, with hand-selected wood, forged steel, and a sturdy determination to make things the right way. At his West Bridgewater Massachusetts forge, Captain John Ames smiths America’s first metal shovels and eliminates the need for British imports.
1775-1783 Revolutionary War
1775-1783
The Revolutionary War
During the Revolutionary War, patriots dig in with AMES shovels fashioned from iron bars by an 80 pound, water-powered trip hammer.
1803 LAND PURCHASE IN EASTON, MA
1803
LAND PURCHASE IN EASTON, MA
Oliver Ames, youngest son of Capt. John Ames, purchases a forge, nailmaking shop, house and several pieces of land in Easton, Massachusetts for $1,600.
1808 Old Stone Forge
1808
Old Stone Forge
The Old Stone Forge is opened in Vermont by Alexander Miller. This Company will be purchased by Lyman Batcheller in 1935 and eventually merges into American Fork and Hoe in 1902. Later, American Fork and Hoe becomes True Temper.
1810 TRIP HAMMER PATENT SIGNED BY PRESIDENT MADISON

1810
PRESIDENT MADISON SIGNS
TRIP HAMMER PATENT
Original trip hammer design patent issued on April 25, 1810 and signed by President James Madison.
1812 The War of 1812
1812
The War of 1812
American troops rely on AMES shovels to dig life-saving protective entrenchments.
1817 FIRST BACK-STRAPPED SHOVELS
1817
THE FIRST BACK-STRAPPED SHOVELS
Oliver Ames manufactures the first back-strapped shovels, later modified for easy transport by soldiers in wartime.
1824 WOOD HANDLE SHOVEL MANUFACTURED

1824
WOOD HANDLE SHOVEL MANUFACTURED
The first wood handle shovel was manufactured in 1824 by AMES.
1837 AMES SHOVELS BREAKGROUND FOR B&O RAILROAD

1837
AMES SHOVELS BREAKGROUND FOR
B&O RAILROAD
President Abraham Lincoln personally asks Oakes Ames, son of Oliver Ames, to supply shovels for the Union cause during the Civil War. By the time the war between the states ends and the Resurrection Period begins, pent-up demand for shovels and other civilian needs creates a tremendous boom.
1840 AMES SHOVELS INSTRUMENTAL THROUGHOUT OREGON TRAIL

1840
AMES SHOVELS INSTRUMENTAL
THROUGHOUT OREGON TRAIL
Settlers, primarily from the Ohio Valley region and Missouri, battle the elements to migrate West. The main route is the Oregon Trail, leading to the Oregon Territory. The trail begins at Independence, Missouri and ends at Oregon City and the Willamette Valley. The average wagon train endures about six months of confrontations with mountains, rivers, prairie land and desert to reach its destination. AMES shovels are instrumental in the settlers’ efforts to challenge mother nature and to stake their claims in the new territory.
1848-1855 Gold Rush
1848-1855
Gold Rush
Instead of panning for gold, many successful prospectors dig tunnels to find the richest veins. During the California Gold Rush, demand for reliable AMES shovels is so high they are used as currency.
1861 LINCOLN ASKS FOR AMES SHOVELS FOR CIVIL WAR

1861
LINCOLN ASKS FOR AMES
SHOVELS DURING CIVIL WAR
President Abraham Lincoln personally asks Oakes Ames, son of Oliver Ames, to supply shovels for the Union cause during the Civil War. By the time the war between the states ends and the Resurrection Period begins, pent-up demand for shovels and other civilian needs creates a tremendous boom.
1868 OAK AMES TAKES CHARGE OF UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD
1868
OAK AMES TAKES CHARGE OF UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD
At the request of President Lincoln, crews use AMES shovels to lay rails across the country until the final Gold Spike. The Ames brothers save the project from failure with emergency financing and later serve as the railroad’s presidents.
1870 OAK AMES INVENTS HANDLE BENDING MACHINE
1870
OAK AMES INVENTS HANDLE BENDING MACHINE
1873 Verona Tools
1873
Verona Tools Begins Operations
In 1931, the company is bought by Wooding Forge and Tool which is acquired by AMES in 1997.
1876 Jackson Manufacturing Wheelbarrows
1876
Jackson Established
Jackson Manufacturing Company begins to produce the first wheelbarrows in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Some settlers use the strong metal tubs of the wheelbarrow as protection during Indian attacks.
1878 First World Exposition
1878
First World Exposition
AMES shovels win the Gold Medal at the First World Exposition and are later named “Best Made” shovel at the 1904 World Exposition.
1879 AMES Leads Shovel Industry
1879
AMES Leads The Shovel Industry
Daily production of 5,000 shovels accounts for 60% of the world’s metal shovels.
1886 AMES SHOVELS USED IN CONSTRUCTION OF STATUE OF LIBERTY
1886
AMES SHOVELS USED IN CONSTRUCTION OF STATUE OF LIBERTY
1895 Garant Established
1895
Garant Established
In Quebec, Garant Company begins as a small family operation offering tools that are fashioned and forged by hand. In 1991, AMES will acquire Garant which has become Canada’s leading manufacturer of snow removal, construction and gardening tools.
1897 Northcote Pottery Established
1897
Northcote Pottery Established
Started in Australia as a manufacturer of terra cotta pottery and roof tiles. It is currently Australia and New Zealand’s largest distributor of garden décor products.
1899 AMES SHOVELS BUILD NEW YORK SUBWAYS
1899
AMES SHOVELS BUILD NEW YORK SUBWAYS
1901 Ames Shovel and Tool Merger
1901
AMES Shovel and Tool Merger
President Hobart Ames and Secretary William Hadwen Ames lead the reorganized Ames Shovel and Tool, Inc. This corporation is a merger of T. Rowland’s Sons, Wright Shovel Company, St. Louis Shovel Company, H.M. Meyers Shovel Company and Elwood Steel Plant. Handle-making plants in Maine, Texas and Ohio are also acquired.
1902 American Fork and Hoe Formed
1902
American Fork and Hoe Formed
The new company is created with the merger of seventeen companies. This conglomerate will later become True Temper.
1903 AMES SHOVELS USED IN DIGGING THE PANAMA CANAL
1903-1914
AMES SHOVELS USED IN DIGGING THE PANAMA CANAL
The shorter, faster and safer route that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans improves economies of U.S. West Coast and nations around the Pacific Ocean.
1907 Union Tools Established
1907
Union Tools Established
With financing from American Fork and Hoe, Union Fork and Hoe Company is created by merging The United States Tool Company and the Continental Tool Company. Its first catalog consists of 902 items.
1907 Cyclone Established
1907
Cyclone Established
Leonard Chamber and William Thompson establish Cyclone to manufacture beekeeper hives and accessories. Today, Cyclone is an iconic brand in Australia’s garden and hardware industry.
1909 North Pole Discovered
1909
North Pole Discovered
AMES rugged shovels and tools forged the way on many of Admiral Robert Peary’s arctic explorations.
1914 AMES SHOVELS USED BY SOLDIERS IN WWI
1914-1918
AMES SHOVELS USED BY SOLDIERS IN WWI
In World War I, soldiers survive rapid machine gun fire and hide from advancing troops in 8-foot deep trenches dug with AMES T-Handle Shovels.