World's First Rodeo
Pecos, Reeves County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Held a block south of Pecos Courthouse, July 4, 1883. Started with claims of cattle outfits -- Lazy, Na and W Ranch -- that each had fastest steer ropers. Settlers in town for Fourth of July picnic were spectators. The prizes were blue ribbons cut by pocket knife from new dress of a 4-year-old girl in crowd. Best roper was Morg Livingston, of the Na. Trav Windham, Lazy Y was second. Other contestants: Fate Beard, Geo. Brookshire, John Chalk, Jeff Chism, Howard Collier, Jim Livingston, Jim Mannin, Henry Miller, Brawley Oates, Jim and Henry Slack, E. P. Stuckler. (1965)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
On the Fourth of July in 1883, cowhands from rival West Texas outfits turned a holiday picnic into a contest to settle which ranch had the fastest steer ropers, an event Pecos celebrates as the world's first rodeo. The prizes were homespun to match: blue ribbons cut with a pocket knife from the new dress of a four-year-old girl in the crowd. Morg Livingston of the Na ranch took top honors, with Trav Windham of the Lazy Y close behind, in a competition born straight out of everyday ranch work.
Why it matters
Pecos' claim to the first rodeo captures the moment when the practical skills of the open range began to crystallize into an enduring American sport and folk tradition.
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Related people
- · Morg Livingston
- · Trav Windham
Themes & tags
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