Cowboys, Courage, and Chaos: 15 Photos from the Early Rodeo Frontier
Yeehaw! Not everyone can hop onto a bucking bull and give it a run (or a ride) for its money, but the men and women who ruled the rodeo certainly could. In small towns across America, the rodeo drew spectators hoping to catch a glimpse of cowboys and cowgirls competing in riding and roping contests. These photos offer a peek into the life of rodeo royalty both in and outside of the arena.
1. Rodeo Clown Elmer Holcomb Dances With a Bull at a Rodeo in Los Angeles (1951)
2. ‘Contestants in the All Girls Rodeo’ (1949)
3. Rodeo Cowboy Bill Pickett (1907)
4. The Ellensburg Rodeo in Washington (1966)
5. Trick Riding at the Rodeo in Quemado, New Mexico (1944)
6. Setting Up at the Chicago Rodeo (1941)
7. All Dressed Up for the Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo at the Hotel de Anza Coffee Shop in San Jose, CA (1947)
8. A Cowgirl Taking a Break at a Rodeo in Ashland, Montana (1941)
9. Bull Rider AND Rodeo Clown? What a Combo.
10. ‘My Mother Was Rodeo Queen in the 80’s’
11. ‘Little Cowpunchers’ on a float at the Tucson Arizona Rodeo Parade (1938)
12. A Pamphlet for the St. Paul Rodeo in Oregon (1952)
13. A Texas Longhorn Steer Jumps Over a Car at the Santa Monica Rodeo (1935)
14. That’s One Way To Get Out of Prison for a Day: Convicts Take Their Chances on a Bull at the Rodeo (1941)
15. Hold on Tight! (1976)
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