Dublin Rodeo
Dublin, Erath County, Texas
Marker Inscription
DUBLIN RODEO IN 1936, EVERETT COLBORN, AN ARENA DIRECTOR FOR THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN RODEO, PURCHASED INTEREST IN A RODEO COMPANY AND SETTLED IN ERATH COUNTY ON THE LIGHTNING C RANCH. THE FIRST “WORLD’S CHAMPIONSHIP RODEO” IN DUBLIN WAS HELD AT CITY PARK IN 1940. THE RODEO WAS A COMMUNITY EFFORT WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS ACCEPTING TICKETS, PARKING CARS AND PREPARING FLOATS FOR THE PARADE. THE COLBORN BOWL WAS BUILT IN 1946 AND WAS THE LARGEST OUTDOOR ARENA IN THE SOUTHWEST. ALONG WITH INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION, THE RODEO BROUGHT IN THOUSANDS OF VISITORS AND FEATURED CELEBRITIES INCLUDING GENE AUTRY AND ROY ROGERS. THE DUBLIN RODEO HELPED LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR THE MODERN SPORT OF RODEO.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Drawn to Erath County in 1936, Madison Square Garden rodeo director Everett Colborn made Dublin a rodeo capital, staging its first "World's Championship Rodeo" in 1940 as a whole-community affair of parades, floats, and volunteers. The 1946 Colborn Bowl was the Southwest's largest outdoor arena, drawing thousands and celebrities like Gene Autry and Roy Rogers.
Why it matters
Dublin helped turn the working cowboy's skills into organized sport, shaping the modern rodeo that remains an icon of Western American culture.
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Related people
- · Everett Colborn
- · Gene Autry
- · Roy Rogers
Themes & tags
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