Old Town Canoes and Kayaks are now sold in 800 U.S. dealerships and 18 foreign countries. Old Town Canoe factory adds 28,000 sq. Johnson Worldwide Associates officially changes name to Johnson Outdoors Inc. 2000 Old Town Canoe reintroduces fiberglass kayaks to the line after an 18 year hiatis Paper announces a new enterprise will open on the second and third floors of the Herbert Gray building on Shirley Street known as the Indian Old Town Canoe Co. Robertson and Old Town Canoe Company is incorporated. Mass. Sam Gray, son of George Gray, joins the wood supply operations of the canoe company after graduating from Bowdoin College. The town boasts itself as the Canoe Center of the World as 3,500 canoes are being built by companies in Old Town that year.
Company pays war tax.
Several color patterns offered that complement military camouflage and maritime patterns. War tax was placed on manufactured goods to help offset cost of the war. Government census figures show that 3,388 canoes were made in the State of Maine. Old Town contributed about one half of that number to the market during this time period. Company made oars for the army.