LOCAL
T e xas i con
The History & Art of the Cowboy Bolo Tie by Douglas Harman
M
y father lived in Arizona for many years; when he died, he left me a classic Native American silver bolo tie with turquoise and coral stones. This whetted my interest in bolo ties. I learned of their practicality compared to the traditional American necktie. The bolo is much easier to put on than a regular necktie. Also, the bolo tie makes the wearer stand out, certifying that he is from the Southwest. In the 1800’s, cowboys began using kerchiefs for functional as well as decorative purposes. Slides, used to hold the kerchiefs, were often made of braided leather and sometimes from decorative silver. The early cowboy ties evolved to what is known as the American cowboy bolo of today which is made with a leather string tie, cord tips and a decorated silver slide or clasp. Many of the well-known movie cowboys of the 1930s through the 1950s, including Hopalong Cassidy and the Cisco Kid, wore string ties with attractive silver slides. As a result, the bolo tie — also called a bola
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AUTHENTIC TEXAS
tie or shoestring tie — became a recognizable and popular alternative to the traditional necktie. Some tuxedo stores offer simple bolos to wear with their tuxedoes. I have worn a beautiful Zuni bolo with black onyx and mother of pearl inlay to formal events. Naturally, the bolo tie has become recognized as the unique tie of the Southwest. It is the official state tie of Arizona and New Mexico. In 2007, House Concurrent Resolution No. 12 was filed by Texas State Representative Armando “Mando” Martinez of Weslaco and signed by Governor Rick Perry making the bolo tie the official state tie of Texas. Native American bolo ties have become recognized as a unique form of American art and have been featured in museum exhibits. Unlike the common cowboy scarf slides, the Native American bolos are made of silver and often decorated with stones from the Southwest.
