In 1836, Oshea Wilder founded the town of Singapore on the shores of Lake Michigan, driven by ambition to rival Chicago and Milwaukee. For a time, he succeeded—Singapore thrived with lumber mills, hotels, and a notorious “Wild-Cat” bank, booming with promise and momentum. But ambition came at a cost. By 1875, the lumber was gone, the mills shut down, and the once-thriving town was overtaken by the very dunes it helped destabilize—buried by the consequences of pushing too fast without thinking long-term.

 

Over 150 years later, that story still resonates. Wildr Hat Co. was born from the same shores and the same drive—but with a different mission. We're not here for fast fashion or forgettable merch. We're here to build with intention. Frustrated by cheap, throwaway products that didn’t reflect who we were—or what we valued—we set out to create something better: hats and gear people would wear with pride. Crafted with care, made to last, and designed to mean something.

 

Just like the town that inspired our name, we believe in bold beginnings—but we’re here to build for the long haul. Wildr Hat Co. exists to leave a mark—not in sand, but in culture, quality, and the communities we serve. This is why we do what we do: to create pieces that outlast trends, stand for something real, and carry stories worth telling.