Thompson Brothers

Years in Business
1904 - 1962

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 Manufacturing 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.

Identifying 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
Models Offered
  • 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.
MODELS OFFERED
Model Years LxWxD Stem Profile Half Ribs Notes
Hiawatha 1921-1943 16 x 33 x 13
17 x 34 x 13
18 x 34 x 13		 Long-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 12 ½
18 x 34 x 12½		 Long-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 16 x 36 x 13     Like Indian
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		 Long Nose   3" Tumblehome
Filed Under:
Thompson Brothers Boat Mfg. Co.