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The History of the Pendleton Roundup
Following a July 4th celebration in 1909 consisting of bronc
riding, horse races by Indians and Non-Indians, Indian feasts and
war dances, greased pig contests, sack races, foot races and
fireworks, some community and area leaders conceived the idea of an
annual event to be known as the Pendleton Round-Up. Also, at that
time, the Let'er Buck slogan, which is symbolic of the Round-Up,
was inspired.
It was decided to stage the Round-Up some time around the middle of
September to allow the grain farmers time to complete their
harvest, and the livestock people an opportunity to make a late
summer check-up.
The Round-Up was incorporated as a non-profit organization with
papers signed July 29, 1910. The corporation's original legal
title was "Northwestern Frontier Exhibition Association." Roy
Raley was elected as the first Round-Up president.
The original operating budget for the first Round-Up was $2,860.00,
1990 expenses were $713,000.00. Articles of Incorporation included
capital stock to be $5,000.00 -- 500 shares at $10.00 per share --
one share, one vote.
Considering the time element and results obtained, 1910 was
considered a masterpiece for the Round-Up.
On December 28, 1910, a purchase and sales contract was entered
into with W. F. Matlock as seller, and N.F.E.A. as buyer, to
purchase approximately 15 acres of ground where the present
grandstand, race track, Indian village, corrals and barns are
located. This was the same area used for the 1909 July 4th
celebration and the 1910 Round-Up.
The sales price for this 15 acres was $5,000.00. A $1,000.00 down
payment was made and the $4,000.00 balance was secured by a note
and mortgage on the property. It carried interest at the rate of
6%.
On February 1, 1911, this property was deeded to the City of
Pendleton. The N.F.E.A. then signed a 10-year lease with the City
of Pendleton on the property at $1.00 per year rental. With some
alterations, considering circumstances and improvements, this
agreement and lease has been carried down through the years.
After acquisition of the land, the officers and directors voted (1)
to establish a modified race track, and (2) construct a grandstand.
The citizens of Pendleton, through a concentrated drive, solicited
about $12,000 which was made available for the expansion purposes
of the organization. Cost of the material for the
grandstand was $3,124.00.
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Ticket prices for 1911 were established at $1.50 for a box seat,
$1.00 for the grandstand, $0.75 for the bleachers, $0.50 for all on
horseback, and $0.50 for children under 12 years.
The directors, in 1912, approved their choice of drawing for boxes,
but no free tickets. The latter still holds true today.
The Indians have been an important factor in the success of the
Round-Up, thanks originally to excellent relations between Major
Lee Moorehouse, Superintendent of the Umatilla Reservation Agency,
Roy Bishop, Round-Up Indian Director, and Poker Jim, Indian Chief
and nephew of Chief Joseph.
In 1918, the show had shown a net profit of $5,098.77. It was by
unanimous vote that the amount be contributed to the American Red
Cross.
The announcing system was one of a kind. In the center of the
grandstand, just off the track and inside the arena, a good sized
pole was placed with the top about 18-20 feet above the ground. A
6 foot by 6 foot crows nest was firmly fastened to the top of this
pole. On the crows nest was a 3 foot high protective fence. On
this frame were bolted three megaphones, or speakers. One faced
the grandstand, one faced East, and one faced West. Lee Drake did
a superb job on these Edison specials.
Til Taylor replaced Roy Raley as president after the 1911 show.
Early growth and acceptance of the Round-Up was beyond all
expectations.
The old wooden grandstand and bleachers were completed in a few
short years and were capable of seating over 20,000 spectators.
The Oregon Journal of Portland sponsored by the late Sam Jackson
(former editor of the East Oregonian) was responsible for 2, 3, and
sometimes 4, special trains headed for Pendleton and the Round-Up.
These were a complete package arrangement. Pullman accommodations,
dining car, Round-Up and Happy Canyon tickets, and transportation
to and from the grounds. Also, some years there were special
trains out of Spokane.
1915 saw the presentation of Happy Canyon for the first time, which
turned out to be a well received night show during Round-Up.
On July 25, 1920, Round-Up president and Umatilla County Sheriff,
Til Taylor, was murdered by four escaped convicts that had been
held in the County Jail. They were ultimately captured, and
since capital punishment was the law, these convicts received their
appropriate justice.
Henry Collins was chosen to succeed Til Taylor as president. He
had been associated with the Round-Up in some capacity since its
beginning.
About 1930, it was decided the grandstand and the bleachers were in
much need of repair. Also, there was need of additional barns,
corrals, and enlargement of the Indian village by acquiring small
tracts of land on the East and West end of the present site. It
was suggested a $20,000.00 serial bond be issued to make funds
available for these repairs and improvements. On schedule, the
Association redeemed the bonds. Also, during this period of time,
the Association purchased and owned their own bucking string.
Fatalities
1929 - Bonnie McCarroll (competed in Cowgirl Bronc Riding) was killed.
This marked the end of the Cowgirl Bucking Contest.
Winnemucca Jack - local Indian was killed when hit in the head by a striking horse in the Wild Horse Race.
A trick rider attempted to jump through a flaming hoop, but his clothes caught fire and he was
fatally burned.
These are the only recorded deaths directly attributed to the show
over all these years. It's rather remarkable, considering the
thousands of individual appearances, and risks involved.
History of the Bucking Horse
In 1924, a young talented author and artist, Wallace Smith, asked
for and received permission to gain access to the arena for the
purpose of making sketches of bucking horses. After three busy
days working in the arena and sitting on the north arena fence, he
came up with his answer to the thought of creating a bucking horse
that would properly symbolize the Round-Up's slogan, "Let'er Buck."
The sketch was copyrighted in 1925 and as of today, that horse has
found it's way around the globe - Lord knows how many times.
It has always been the policy of the Board that the horse can be
used locally by businesses and organizations for various reasons,
if no monies are derived therefrom. However, it is necessary to
obtain written permission from the Round-Up Board, and each request
is weighted on it's own merits.
From Exhibition to Round-Up
The 30's were a big headache for the Northwestern Frontier
Exhibition Association, as well as the general economy of the
nation. On May 23, 1933, N.F.E.A., was declared defunct, and a new
organization known as the Pendleton Round-Up Association came into
being. Local merchants and Round-Up supporters underwrote an indebtedness loan of $15,000.00 inherited from the N.F.E.A., in order to
keep the show going. Fortunately, the 1935-38 shows
proved to be deliverance days. The combined net profits of the 4
years were adequate to pay all indebtedness with $3,500.00 surplus
which was contributed to the Pendleton Parks Commission.
Business obligations required the president of the Board, Henry
Collins, to relocate in Portland, and in October, 1932, he tendered
his resignation. Dr. W. D. McNary, Superintendent of Eastern
Oregon State Hospital, was chosen to replace him.
In 1936 or 1937, the cowboys formed an organization they referred
to as "Turtles." They felt they needed an organization to promote
the contestants rights in regard to rodeo management and
contesting. Pinky Boylen referred to it as the cowboy union. They
demanded closed shows - for "Turtles" only, and certain livestock
requirements that were not acceptable to the Round-Up Board. So
the Round-Up Association declared itself open - open to all
contestants during the years 1937 and 1938. Even though the show
was black listed by the "Turtles", the spectators did not know or
care whether the cowboy was a professional or just a ranch hand
from the nearby countryside. In 1939, in a meeting between the
R.A.A. (Rodeo Association of America), a management organization,
and the "Turtles", a five year agreement was signed. The "Turtles"
were back in Pendleton in 1939. That same year, William Switzler
was elected president.
In August, 1940, the wooden grandstand burned to the ground. In
storage bays under the grandstand were stage coaches, prairie
schooners, buggies, surreys, pack outfits, harness items used the
Westward Ho! parade. The Round-Up was scheduled to take place in
about 40 days. A campaign was started for cash contributions and
within a short period of time, about $35,000.00 was made available
for the replacement of the grandstand.
V. W. McCormach, president of McCormach Construction Company,
volunteered to construct a concrete grandstand at cost. A new
grandstand with seating capacity of about 5,500 was ready for the
September show. This was made possible by around the clock
construction which "Mac" McCormach provided. His was but another
nearly impossible accomplishment made by the citizens of Pendleton,
and the surrounding vicinity. Sam Thompson was elected president
in 1941-44. The years 1942 and 1943 saw no Round-Up due to the war
and the establishment of the air base in Pendleton.
The years following the war saw an expansion of the "Turtles"
organization to what was called the R.C.A. Faye LeGrow was elected
president in 1945-48.
Pressure and demands were greatly increased upon rodeo management,
so in 1946, representatives of the Rodeo Association of America and
the National Rodeo Association (two small managerial organizations) met in
Denver and consolidated, creating a new management
organization known as the International Rodeo Association. Pink
Boylen was appointed commissioner and executive secretary.
Many rodeo rules still in effect today were established by the
I.R.A. Over the years, the I.R.A. has evolved to sponsoring the
Miss Rodeo America contest. Consequently, rodeo management has not
had an organization for several years.
Years had taken their toll on the old seating, and in 1948 new
steel bleachers were erected in the southwest corner of the
stadium.
With the election of John Hales as president in 1949, an August
show was attempted. It worked out fairly well and was tried again
in 1950, along with the finals being held on Sunday. The turn out
for the show was good, but a number of people, including the
Pendleton Ministerial Association, were opposed. The Sunday
presentation of the Round-Up came to an abrupt halt. Also, in
1949, was the end of the "over the hill pageant." Encroachment of
housing on the hill above town to the North forced an end to the
staging of this production.
Nighttime pari-mutual racing was tried, without success, in 1950.
Through an agreement with the school district, the infield of the
stadium was turfed in 1951 for use during football games. Also, in
1951, a new set of by-laws was passed, limiting a director's
service to two four-year terms. The president's term was limited
to four years.
With Berk Davis being elected president in 1952, the Round-Up
staged a night show and continued to do so through 1955. Also,
through some disagreement with the musicians union, bands no longer
played during the show and "canned" music was introduced.
In 1952, Finis Kirkpatrick was elected president. The grandstand
received a roof and the Round-Up office, as we know it, was added.
In an attempt to show appreciation for work done before, during,
and after the show, the non-paid help party was introduced in 1955.
A new North grandstand and bucking chutes were built in 1957
following the election of Jack Stangier as president. This was
also the first year the Round-Up was televised.
In 1958, an addition to the South grandstand took place. This was
the Let'er Buck Room. The directors of that time probably did not
realize that room would be nearly as famous as the arena show of
the Pendleton Round-Up!
John Bauer was elected president in 1959. In 1960, the Rams and
the Cowboys played an exhibition game which was well received,
locally.
The Northwest bleachers were replaced in 1961 when Fred Hill was
elected president. Up to this time, the roping events and bull
dogging were run from the East to the West. With the addition of
the new bleachers, it was decided to run these events from West to
East. 1961 was also the year of the first barbecue staged in the
arena following the Wednesday show.
Barrel racing was attempted during the 1963 show. It turned out to
be rather risky on the grass. It was never tried again. Verne
Terjeson was elected president during this same year. A room for
the directors to meet was constructed in 1963. This room is better
know as Room 17. This was also the year of the first Buckle Club
party for VIP's.
Ford Robertson was elected president in 1965; the same year the
Anhauser/Busch Clydesdales were here. Leonard King was elected
president in 1966.
The pavilion was built in 1967, and was paid off in 1977. This
building has served the community in many ways and mainly with horse
events for 4-H groups and the Blue Mountain Community College Rodeo
Club.
The Hall of Fame was formed in 1969, the year John Mulligan was
elected president. It was the first Hall of Fame ever started in
the North American continent by an individual show. This
exhibition was first housed in the VIP Room in the Pavilion, built
two years previous to the formation of the Hall of Fame.
Bob Hales became president in 1971, making the first time a son
followed his father into this office (John, his father, was
president from 1949-1951).
In 1973, the wooden horse barns near the pavilion burned to the
ground. The same year, Frank Tubbs was elected president. The
following year, RCA members threatened a boycott of the Round-Up,
demanding more purse money.
Newly elected president, Glen Thorne, in 1975 faced the demand for
a 30% increase in purse from the PRCA. After nearly five months of
negotiations between the Round-Up and the PRCA, the local group
agreed to the PRCA's demands.
I can still remember that Pendleton nearly went amateur as we did
in 1937 and 1938 because it was not a one sided vote to go PRCA.
The Hall of Fame room under the South Grandstand was completed and
put to use in 1976.
With the election of Jiggs Fisk,(Westward Ho Parade Grand Marshal for 2003) as president in 1977, plans were
laid for an addition to the North grandstand, which was completed
in time for the 1978 show.
Generations of people have made this show what is, has been, and
continues to be.
TOP
The vintage photo of Chief Poker Jim is courtesy of
Wayne & Mary Ann Low.
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