Texas Cowboy Reunion Oldtimers' Association

The reunion began as a cure for Depression gloom. In February 1930 thirteen Stamford businessmen met to plan a local celebration and settled on a rodeo for working cowhands rather than professionals. That first year ninety-eight cowboys entered four events, calf roping, wild-cow milking, steer riding and bronc riding, and 12,000 people came over three days. By 1937 crowds reached 70,000 and officials added grandstands, lights, a small lake, a pavilion and a bandstand. Attendance fell in the war, recovered to 50,000 to 65,000 by 1955, then leveled off at 10,000 to 12,000.

What the plaque says

Founded 1930, jointly with Texas Cowboy Reunion - to "hand down to posterity, customs and traditions" of early cattle people who lived in dugouts and fought drouths, die-outs, heat and freeze-ups, raising the longhorns that finally brought settlement to the southwest. Here (1930) were 335 men who had been cowboys prior to 1895. Besides regular cowmen, early members included musician Paul Whiteman, editor Amon Carter, Ranger Captain Tom Hickman and Will Rogers, ex-cowhand, internationally famous entertainer and columnist. Colonel R. L. Penick was first president. In 1932, donation of a bull started building fund for bunkhouse and roundup hall standing nearby. Ranch donated site. The interior and exterior of the bunkhouse feature ranch brands of many members. Oldtimers' Reunion and Rodeo held 3 days annually (including July 4th) features chuckwagon meals, square dancing, and oldtimers' memories and songs. Town celebrates with cowboy parade and thousands come to see what is called "world's largest amateur cowboy show," with actual cowhands performing. These oldtimers represent the end of the open range and beginning of the era of barbed wire. They opened Texas' last frontier. (1969)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Fort Phantom Hill — 22 mi
  A field of lone stone chimneys north of Abilene, left by the fire after the Army left in 1854, later a stage stop and a buffalo-hide town of more than 500 people.

More markers nearby

• "The Poet Ranchman" Larry Chittenden — steps away
• Stamford — 0.6 mi
• Swenson Land and Cattle Company Headquarters — 1.1 mi
• Spring Creek Cemetery — 6.7 mi