Essays from West of 98: A Real Cowboy Reunion

Author’s note: this is an updated and refreshed version of an essay about the Texas Cowboy Reunion that appeared in several print and digital outlets in 2016 and 2017.

The year was 1930. America was reeling from the onset of the Great Depression, but rural communities had been suffering for several years from severe drought, cratering crop prices, and heavy farm debt. In the West Texas city of Stamford, thirteen community leaders met to propose a celebration to boost morale amidst the hard times. Given the area’s rich ranching history, Stamford’s leaders settled on a rodeo centered around July 4th. So began the Texas Cowboy Reunion.

This event would provide a diversion from the region’s struggles but it would also promote the rapidly-declining legacy of the West Texas cowboy. The first year was a success. Over 12,000 people watched three days of calf roping, bronc riding, steer riding, and the first-ever performance of wild cow milking in a rodeo. The Old Timers’ Association, composed of retired cowboys, was formed for historical commemoration.

From there, the event took off. Permanent facilities were built in a natural amphitheater on the edge of Stamford. Upwards of 70,000 visitors would attend as rural America’s population peaked. Ranches would bring chuckwagons and teepees and their cowboys would camp on the grounds for the entire event. The TCR would inspire other innovations beyond the wild cow milking. Double mugging (a Texas rodeo staple in which two cowboys must rope and tie a yearling steer) was also created. The signature cloverleaf pattern in barrel racing was first laid out in Stamford’s arena. In 1940, the recently-formed American Quarter Horse Association held its first show in Stamford. Above all, contestants were primarily working cowboys, billing the event as the “world’s largest amateur rodeo.”

In 1935, legendary cowboy humorist Will Rogers quietly came to town and was spotted watching from the grandstand. After some prodding, he thrilled the crowd with a roping demonstration in what would be one of his last public appearances before his death. Rogers wrote in his nationally syndicated column that he

“went to a real cowboy reunion…not a professional rodeo like you see everywhere else, but a real celebration in a real cowtown by real old timers.”

Today, countless volunteers and community leaders strive to uphold the founders’ mission and the vision described by Will Rogers. On June 28-July 2, 2022, Stamford will host perhaps 20,000 visitors from near and far. Real cowboys and cowgirls will ride rope calves, race barrels, ride broncs and bulls, wrestle yearlings, milk wild cows, and more. Old timers will rope calves and race barrels. Texas cowboy culture will be presented through art, chuckwagon cooking, poetry, and music. Cowboys and cowgirls will square off in an old-fashioned matched horse race. Every night after the rodeo, visitors will sit under the stars and take in western swing and Texas country music. The Old Timers’ Association will meet to preserve the legacy of the West Texas cowboy.

Today, there is a video replay board. Some of the buildings have air conditioning. RVs and horse trailers have replaced teepees as preferred accommodations. Professional cowboys enter in a few events, but the entry sheet still includes a large number of amateurs and working cowboys and cowgirls,

In 1930, West Texas was consumed by discouragement. The weather and economy weren’t cooperating. The government wasn’t much better. Stamford’s leaders had spent three decades building a new community on the dusty Rolling Plains and they would not be deterred. They chose to make Stamford the center of something memorable.

92 years later, that legacy lives on. Rural economies still face boom and bust. Weather and government are no more helpful now than they were in 1930. But no matter what else happens, we appreciate the creation of Andrew John Swenson, William G. Swenson, Ray Rector, Rudolph Swenson, John Selmon, A. C. Cooper, F. Harley Goble, R. B. Bryant, W. G. Owsley, Charles E. Coombes, R. V. Colbert, Louie M. Hardy, and Roy Arledge.

Come to Stamford on the July 4th weekend. You’ll find a real cowboy reunion in a real cowtown.

James Decker is the Mayor of Stamford, Texas and the creator of the West of 98 website and podcast. Contact James and subscribe to these essays at westof98.substack.com and subscribe to West of 98 wherever podcasts are found.