History of the World’s Oldest Rodeo®

Edited and written in part by Tricia Lewis and excerpts taken from Danny Freeman

Our story starts in Prescott, Arizona Territory, located in Yavapai County, even as it is today. In that year of 1888, it was a small town, just 24 years old. It was this town, Prescott, that became the birthplace to professional rodeo as we know it today.

American settlers and government people came to the area of presentday Prescott, Arizona, early in 1864 and established the first capital of Arizona Territory. As the area filled with miners, military people and freighters, cattlemen moved in with their herds to furnish beef to the meat-hungry population. Continuing growth in population in the area brought about the establishment of more and more ranches. An ever-increasing number of cowboys came in to do the work on the ranches until by the 1880s there were about as many cowboys in the area as there were miners who worked in the mines. Quite naturally, the townspeople were interested in what went on on the ranches and in the mines because their livelihood depended on those two main forms of industry.

In those days, as today, ranches held roundups once or twice a year. At that time, cattle were branded, ears marked, the males castrated and those male and female, to be marketed, were separated out. Roundups over, the cowboys of the various ranches, eager for fun and recreation after what often was grueling work, challenged each other to decide who was the best roper and the best “bronco” rider. These informal, spontaneous occasions offered an opportunity for both friends and participants to watch and wager money on their favorites. Cowboys and ranchers alike looked forward to these friendly and exciting events.

Beginning that first year, in 1864, when Prescott became the state capital, elaborate plans were made to celebrate Independence Day on the Fourth of July.

Back in those days, sporting events were not held in Prescott, nor anywhere across America, on the Fourth of July. That day was dedicated to parades, band concerts, patriotic oratory and the like. Until July 4, 1888!

Without realizing it, and with no intent on its part of doing so, the committee that organized the big Fourth of July celebration beginning back in 1888, made sports history!

In their planning, committee members established the criteria of organized, modern rodeo. The rules were: 1. A committee must organize and put the rodeo on; 2. Cowboys had to be invited to compete; 3. Admission was charged to pay expenses; 4. Prizes were awarded; 5. Documentation must occur for each event. Thus, professional rodeo was to be born at Prescott, Arizona Territory – first capital of Arizona – during that 1888, July 4th celebration.

This year, Prescott Frontier Days® , Inc. will hold the 134th World’s Oldest Rodeo® at the Prescott Rodeo Grounds.