ABOUT AMES
AMES is one of the oldest hand-powered landscaping 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 providing quality tools for big tasks, whether that means creating a backyard oasis for the family and friends of laying the foundation for a skyscraper. Through quality craftsmanship and inspired innovation, we have established leading positions across numerous product categories.
AMES® HISTORY
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.
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.
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.
1824 WOOD HANDLE SHOVEL MANUFACTURED
1824
WOOD HANDLE SHOVEL MANUFACTURED
The first wood handle shovel was manufactured in 1824 by AMES.
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.
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.
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.
1868 OAKES AMES TAKES CHARGE OF UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD
1862-1869
OAKES 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.
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.
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.
1927 AMES TOOLS USED IN CARVING MOUNT RUSHMORE
1927-1941
AMES TOOLS USED IN CARVING MOUNT RUSHMORE
1929 AMES SHOVELS HELP BUILD THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING
1929-1931
AMES shovels are used to build the foundation of the 103-story Empire State Building
1931 AMES SHOVELS HELP BUILD THE HOOVER DAM
1931-1935
THE HOOVER DAM CONSTRUCTED
Thousands of workers use AMES shovels and Jackson wheelbarrows to construct the Hoover Dam which prevents floods, provides irrigation water and produces electric power.
1933 AMES TOOLS HELP BUILD THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE
1933-1937
AMES TOOLS HELP BUILD THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE
1941 11 MILLION TRENCHING TOOLS FOR WWII
1941-1945
11 MILLION TRENCHING TOOLS FOR WWII
During World War II, AMES is honored twice with the Army–Navy “E” for Excellence in Wartime Production for providing 11 million entrenching tools along with armor tank plating and shell casings to our troops. American Fork and Hoe provides bayonets, shovels, snowshoes, and machetes. Union Fork and Hoe produce bayonets, cleaning tools, and Razor-Back shovels for use on military vehicles. Wood Shovel and Tool, which later becomes part of Union Fork & Hoe, provides entrenching tools along with AMES to the military.
1950 SOLDIERS IN KOREAN WAR USE AMES TRENCHING TOOLS
1950-1953
SOLDIERS IN KOREAN WAR USE AMES TRENCHING TOOLS
1956 AMES TOOLS HELP BUILD I-80
1956
AMES TOOLS HELP BUILD I-80
1968 AMES ENTRENCHING TOOLS USED IN VIETNAM WAR
1968
AMES ENTRENCHING TOOLS USED IN VIETNAM WAR
AMES creates a lightweight, high-strength aluminum entrenching tool that easily folds into a compact package. The Army orders 275,000 tools for soldiers fighting in Vietnam.
1974 AMES SHOVELS USED TO CONSTRUCT TRANS-ALASKAN PIPELINE
1974-1977
AMES SHOVELS USED TO CONSTRUCT TRANS-ALASKAN PIPELINE
Conquering frozen terrain, three mountain ranges and thirty rivers, AMES shovels play a crucial role constructing the 800-mile Trans-Alaskan Pipeline System needed to transport crude oil.
1984 AMES LOPPER LAUNCHED INTO ORBIT ABOARD SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY
1984
AMES LOPPER LAUNCHED INTO ORBIT ABOARD SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY, USED FOR SATELLITE RECOVERY
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.