• Donald C. & Elizabeth M. Dickinson Research Center
• Archive & Finding Aids

Introduction
History
Scope & Content Note
Subject Terms
Processing Information
Ownership & Literary Rights
Restrictions on Access
Preferred Citation

Container List
Series 1, United States (Alabama-Ohio)
Series 1, United States (Oklahoma-Unknown U.S. venues)
Series 2, Foreign

Images


GUIDE to the
COLLECTION OF RODEO PROGRAMS AND EPHEMERA, 1905-2004
DICKINSON RESEARCH CENTER. Rodeo programs and ephemera, 1905-2004.
21.5 cubic feet (42 document boxes, 1 flat box).
Location: 0351-0365.


Introduction:

The Collection of Rodeo Programs and Ephemera includes more than 1,500 souvenir programs, daily programs, brochures, prize lists, rules and other ephemera from a wide variety of rodeos throughout the United States and several foreign countries.

History:

Over the years the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum accessioned many donated rodeo programs, brochures and related ephemera from the Museum affiliated Rodeo Historical Society and other sources. This material had been kept as a vertical file collection, but to increase researcher access the decision was made to improve the arrangement and create a finding aid.

Scope and Content:

The collection has been arranged in two series, United States and Foreign.

United States (1905-2004) comprises the bulk of the collection. The programs in this series document rodeos in 40 states and from every decade of the 20th century and into the 21st century. While the vast majority of the programs are original, a small number of the earliest programs are photocopies. Among the rodeos with the strongest coverage are La Fiesta de los Vaqueros, Tucson, Arizona; Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, Colorado Springs, Colorado; National Western Stock Show, Denver, Colorado; War Bonnet Round-Up, Idaho Falls, Idaho; World’s Championship Rodeo, Boston, Massachusetts; World’s Championship Rodeo, New York, New York; National Finals Rodeo, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Pendleton Round-Up, Pendleton, Oregon; Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show, Fort Worth, Texas; and Cheyenne Frontier Days, Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Highlights of the collection include extensive documentation of the 1939 World’s Championship Rodeo at Madison Square Garden, including typed daily event and contestant lists with handwritten notes and livestock lists from the rodeo; a complete media package from the 1959 National Finals Rodeo held in Dallas, Texas; almost 40 years of Cheyenne Frontier Days programs dating from 1905 to 1996, including a deluxe 1931 program with a fold-out panoramic photograph of the performers and grandstand; 17 different daily programs and the souvenir program from the 1930 World Series Rodeo in New York City; and all souvenir programs and many daily programs from the National Finals Rodeos held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma between 1965 and 1984.

In addition to documenting rodeos, the programs also document the professional activities of a wide variety of rodeo cowboys and cowgirls. The rodeo performers who appear in the programs are virtually a who’s who of 20th century professional rodeo including cowboys Larry Mahan, Slim Pickens, Jim Shoulders and Leonard Stroud and cowgirls Marie Gibson, Fox Hastings, Tad Lucas and Vera McGinnis along with many others. The collection also documents the activities of local and regional rodeo performers who competed in small town rodeos throughout the United States. Some daily programs have contest results noted. Additionally, the programs highlight a variety of musical, film and television performers such as Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Lorne Greene, Clayton Moore, Liberace and others who appeared at some large venue rodeos. “Gunsmoke” stars Ken Curtis and Milburn Stone autographed the 1965 San Angelo Fat Stock Show & Rodeo program. Named Native American performance groups and rodeo specialty acts also appear in a number of programs.

The programs provide many examples of early 20th century small town advertising. Programs from larger venues include many instances of rodeo and cowboy themed advertisements.

Foreign (1924-1971) includes rodeo programs from Australia, Canada, Cuba, England, France, Germany, and Mexico. Highlights include 13 different daily programs from the First International Rodeo, held in London in 1924 and the souvenir program and nine different daily programs from Tex Austin’s World’s Championship Rodeo, held in London in 1934.

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Subject Terms:

Personal Names:
Austin, Tex
Curtis, Ken, 1916-1991
Gibson, Marie
Greene, Lorne
Hastings, Fox
Liberace, 1919-
Lucas, Tad Barnes
Mahan, Larry
McGinnis, Vera
Moore, Clayton, 1914-
Pickens, Slim
Rogers, Dale Evans
Rogers, Roy, 1911-
Shoulders, Jim
Stone, Milburn
Stroud, Leonard

Subject Headings:
Programs
Rodeo performers
Rodeos—Alabama—Mobile
Rodeos—Arizona—Florence
Rodeos—Arizona—Glendale
Rodeos—Arizona—Globe
Rodeos—Arizona—Payson
Rodeos—Arizona—Phoenix
Rodeos—Arizona—Prescott
Rodeos—Arizona—Scottsdale
Rodeos—Arizona—Sonoita
Rodeos—Arizona—Tombstone
Rodeos—Arizona—Tucson
Rodeos—Arizona—Willcox
Rodeos—Arizona—Yuma
Rodeos—Arkansas—Fort Smith
Rodeos—Arkansas—Grady
Rodeos—Arkansas—Harrison
Rodeos—Arkansas—Jonesboro
Rodeos—Arkansas—Little Rock
Rodeos—Arkansas—North Little Rock
Rodeos—Arkansas—Springdale
Rodeos—Arkansas—Yell County
Rodeos—Australia—Melbourne
Rodeos—Australia—Sydney
Rodeos—California—Bakersfield
Rodeos—California—Brawley
Rodeos—California—Camp Pendleton
Rodeos—California—Carmel Valley
Rodeos—California—Clovis
Rodeos—California—Coarsegold
Rodeos—California—El Toro
Rodeos—California—Eureka
Rodeos—California—Hayward
Rodeos—California—Hollywood
Rodeos—California—King City
Rodeos—California—Lake County
Rodeos—California—Livermore
Rodeos—California—Long Beach
Rodeos—California—Los Angeles
Rodeos—California—Merced County
Rodeos—California—Palm Springs
Rodeos—California—Red Bluff
Rodeos—California—Redding
Rodeos—California—Redwood City
Rodeos—California—Salinas
Rodeos—California—San Bernardino
Rodeos—California—San Diego
Rodeos—California—San Francisco
Rodeos—California—San Juan Bautista
Rodeos—California—Santa Maria
Rodeos—California—Saugus
Rodeos—California—Temecula
Rodeos—California—Visalia
Rodeos—Canada—Calgary
Rodeos—Canada—Fort MacLeod
Rodeos—Canada—Toronto
Rodeos—Canada—Windsor
Rodeos—Colorado—Canon City
Rodeos—Colorado—Colorado Springs
Rodeos—Colorado—Denver
Rodeos—Colorado—Durango
Rodeos—Colorado—Greeley
Rodeos—Colorado—Gunnison
Rodeos—Colorado—Holly
Rodeos—Colorado—Hotchkiss
Rodeos—Colorado—Hugo
Rodeos—Colorado—La Junta
Rodeos—Colorado—Longmont
Rodeos—Colorado—Monte Vista
Rodeos—Colorado—Pagosa Springs
Rodeos—Colorado—Pueblo
Rodeos—Colorado—Rocky Ford
Rodeos—Colorado—Trinidad
Rodeos—Colorado—Walsenburg
Rodeos—Connecticut—New Haven
Rodeos—Cuba—Havana
Rodeos—District of Columbia—Washington
Rodeos—England—London
Rodeos—Florida—Kissimmee
Rodeos—Florida—Lakeland
Rodeos—France—Paris
Rodeos—Germany—Furth
Rodeos—Hawaii—Honolulu
Rodeos—Idaho—Blackfoot
Rodeos—Idaho—Boise
Rodeos—Idaho—Caldwell
Rodeos—Idaho—Idaho Falls
Rodeos—Idaho—Nampa
Rodeos—Idaho—Pocatello
Rodeos—Idaho—Preston
Rodeos—Idaho—Twin Falls
Rodeos—Idaho—Weiser
Rodeos—Illinois—Chicago
Rodeos—Illinois—Kankakee
Rodeos—Illinois—Marion
Rodeos—Indiana—Indianapolis
Rodeos—Iowa—Fort Madison
Rodeos—Iowa—Indianola
Rodeos—Iowa—Sidney
Rodeos—Iowa—Waterloo
Rodeos—Kansas—Coffeyville
Rodeos—Kansas—Dodge City
Rodeos—Kansas—Emporia
Rodeos—Kansas—Garden City
Rodeos—Kansas—Great Bend
Rodeos—Kansas—Kansas City
Rodeos—Kansas—Kiowa
Rodeos—Kansas—Manhattan
Rodeos—Kansas—McPherson
Rodeos—Kansas—Medicine Lodge
Rodeos—Kansas—Neodesha
Rodeos—Kansas—Phillipsburg
Rodeos—Kansas—Strong City
Rodeos—Kansas—Topeka
Rodeos—Kansas—Wichita
Rodeos—Kentucky—Lexington
Rodeos—Louisiana—Alexandria
Rodeos—Louisiana—Baton Rouge
Rodeos—Louisiana—Lake Charles
Rodeos—Louisiana—Monroe
Rodeos—Louisiana—New Orleans
Rodeos—Louisiana—Shreveport
Rodeos—Louisiana—University
Rodeos—Maryland—Baltimore
Rodeos—Massachusetts—Boston
Rodeos—Massachusetts—Springfield
Rodeos—Massachusetts—West Springfield
Rodeos—Mexico—Mexico City
Rodeos—Michigan—Detroit
Rodeos—Michigan—Saginaw
Rodeos—Michigan—Wyoming
Rodeos—Minnesota—Minneapolis
Rodeos—Minnesota—St. Paul
Rodeos—Missouri—Brookfield
Rodeos—Missouri—Camdenton
Rodeos—Missouri—Camp Crowder
Rodeos—Missouri—Excelsior Springs
Rodeos—Missouri—Kansas City
Rodeos—Missouri—Lee's Summit
Rodeos—Missouri—Ozark
Rodeos—Missouri—St. Joseph
Rodeos—Missouri—St. Louis
Rodeos—Missouri—Sikeston
Rodeos—Missouri—Springfield
Rodeos—Montana—Bozeman
Rodeos—Montana—Butte
Rodeos—Montana—Choteau
Rodeos—Montana—Hamilton
Rodeos—Montana—Helena
Rodeos—Montana—Laurel
Rodeos—Montana—Livingston
Rodeos—Montana—Miles City
Rodeos—Montana—Missoula
Rodeos—Montana—Stanford
Rodeos—Montana—Wolf Point
Rodeos—Nebraska—Beatrice
Rodeos—Nebraska—Burwell
Rodeos—Nebraska—Hyannis
Rodeos—Nebraska—McCook
Rodeos—Nebraska—North Platte
Rodeos—Nebraska—Omaha
Rodeos—Nevada—Las Vegas
Rodeos—Nevada—Logandale
Rodeos—Nevada—Reno
Rodeos—New Jersey—Cowtown
Rodeos—New Mexico—Albuquerque
Rodeos—New Mexico—Artesia
Rodeos—New Mexico—Carlsbad
Rodeos—New Mexico—Clayton
Rodeos—New Mexico—Clovis
Rodeos—New Mexico—Hobbs
Rodeos—New Mexico—Las Vegas
Rodeos—New Mexico—Roswell
Rodeos—New Mexico—Santa Fe
Rodeos—New Mexico—Tucumcari
Rodeos—New York—Buffalo
Rodeos—New York—Gerry
Rodeos—New York—New York
Rodeos—North Dakota—Mandan
Rodeos—North Dakota—Minot
Rodeos—Ohio—Cleveland
Rodeos—Oklahoma—Ada
Rodeos—Oklahoma—Ardmore
Rodeos—Oklahoma—Chelsea
Rodeos—Oklahoma—Chickasha
Rodeos—Oklahoma—Claremore
Rodeos—Oklahoma—Cleo Springs
Rodeos—Oklahoma—Dewey
Rodeos—Oklahoma—Elk City
Rodeos—Oklahoma—Fort Cobb
Rodeos—Oklahoma—Fort Towson
Rodeos—Oklahoma—Guthrie
Rodeos—Oklahoma—Henryetta
Rodeos—Oklahoma—Hugo
Rodeos—Oklahoma—Lawton
Rodeos—Oklahoma—McAlester
Rodeos—Oklahoma—Nowata
Rodeos—Oklahoma—Okemah
Rodeos—Oklahoma—Oklahoma City
Rodeos—Oklahoma—Pawhuska
Rodeos—Oklahoma—Ponca City
Rodeos—Oklahoma—Purcell
Rodeos—Oklahoma—Shawnee
Rodeos—Oklahoma—Tulsa
Rodeos—Oklahoma—Vinita
Rodeos—Oklahoma—Woodward
Rodeos—Oklahoma—Yukon
Rodeos—Oregon—Eugene
Rodeos—Oregon—Joseph
Rodeos—Oregon—Klamath Falls
Rodeos—Oregon—Lebanon
Rodeos—Oregon—Medford
Rodeos—Oregon—Molalla
Rodeos—Oregon—Oregon City
Rodeos—Oregon—Pendleton
Rodeos—Oregon—Portland
Rodeos—Oregon—Prineville
Rodeos—Oregon—Reedsport
Rodeos—Oregon—Roseburg
Rodeos—Oregon—St. Paul
Rodeos—Oregon—Salem
Rodeos—Pennsylvania—Allentown
Rodeos—Pennsylvania—Harrisburg
Rodeos—Pennsylvania—Hershey
Rodeos—Pennsylvania—Philadelphia
Rodeos—Pennsylvania—Pittsburgh
Rodeos—Rhode Island—Providence
Rodeos—South Dakota—Belle Fourche
Rodeos—South Dakota—Custer
Rodeos—South Dakota—Deadwood
Rodeos—South Dakota—Rapid City
Rodeos—Tennessee—Cookeville
Rodeos—Tennessee—Memphis
Rodeos—Texas—Abilene
Rodeos—Texas—Amarillo
Rodeos—Texas—Aransas Pass
Rodeos—Texas—Belton
Rodeos—Texas—Bonham
Rodeos—Texas—Brownfield
Rodeos—Texas—Brownsville
Rodeos—Texas—Canadian
Rodeos—Texas—College Station
Rodeos—Texas—Conroe
Rodeos—Texas—Crosbyton
Rodeos—Texas—Dalhart
Rodeos—Texas—Dallas
Rodeos—Texas—Dublin
Rodeos—Texas—El Paso
Rodeos—Texas—Fort Worth
Rodeos—Texas—Galveston
Rodeos—Texas—Gladewater
Rodeos—Texas—Houston
Rodeos—Texas—Huntsville
Rodeos—Texas—Jasper
Rodeos—Texas—Levelland
Rodeos—Texas—Littlefield
Rodeos—Texas—Lubbock
Rodeos—Texas—Mesquite
Rodeos—Texas—Midland
Rodeos—Texas—Pampa
Rodeos—Texas—Paris
Rodeos—Texas—Pecos
Rodeos—Texas—Saginaw
Rodeos—Texas—San Angelo
Rodeos—Texas—San Antonio
Rodeos—Texas—Snyder
Rodeos—Texas—Stamford
Rodeos—Texas—Vernon
Rodeos—Texas—Weatherford
Rodeos—Texas—Wichita Falls
Rodeos—Utah—Ogden
Rodeos—Utah—Price
Rodeos—Utah—St. George
Rodeos—Utah—Salt Lake City
Rodeos—Washington—Colville
Rodeos—Washington—Ellensburg
Rodeos—Washington—Kennewick
Rodeos—Washington—Okanogan
Rodeos—Washington—Omak
Rodeos—Washington—Soap Lake
Rodeos—Washington—Spokane
Rodeos—Washington—Tonasket
Rodeos—Washington—Washougal
Rodeos—Washington—Wenatchee
Rodeos—Washington—White Salmon
Rodeos—Wisconsin—Hixton
Rodeos—Wisconsin—Milwaukee
Rodeos—Wyoming—Basin
Rodeos—Wyoming—Cheyenne
Rodeos—Wyoming—Cody
Rodeos—Wyoming—Evanston
Rodeos—Wyoming—Jackson
Rodeos—Wyoming—Laramie
Rodeos—Wyoming—Rawlins
Rodeos—Wyoming—Sheridan

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Processing Note:

The Donald C. & Elizabeth M. Dickinson Research Center acquired the Rodeo Program Collection from many sources throughout the history of the Museum. The collection was originally arranged by Jonathan Nelson in 2003, but additions were made in 2004 and 2005.

Ownership and Literary Rights:

The Collection of Rodeo Programs and Ephemera is the property of the Donald C. & Elizabeth M. Dickinson Research Center, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Literary right, including copyright, belongs to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, with the exception of copyrighted artwork images and published literary works, which are the property of the respective copyright holders. It is the responsibility of the researcher, and his/her publisher, to obtain publishing permission from individuals pictured, relevant copyright holders, and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

Restrictions on Access:

The collection is open for research. It is advisable for researchers to discuss their proposed research with staff prior to visiting the Center.

Preferred Citation:
Collection of Rodeo Programs and Ephemera, Title, Date, Dickinson Research Center, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.