Old West Museum
Cheyenne Frontier Days History |
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Cheyenne Frontier Days - "The Daddy of 'em All"®
"It's the Cheyenne thing to do..."
That's how Bill Dubois, a 2004 inductee in the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame, replied when asked why he had been volunteering for more than four decades in a variety of capacities at the "Daddy of 'em All."®
"It's the Cheyenne thing to do" for tens of hundreds of volunteers who provide the people power to produce what arguably is the largest outdoor western celebration in the world. For more than a century, chief executive officers of large companies, bank presidents, school teachers, realtors, homemakers, state and federal employees— literally folks from every walk of life— have devoted millions of volunteer hours to plan, organize and execute all the events associated with Cheyenne Frontier Days.
It began as a simple one-day celebration in September of 1897 when a group of volunteers from the Cheyenne business community thought it would be fun and profitable to stage a western celebration. Today, more than 2,500 volunteers work around the calendar to produce an event that borders on two weeks long and includes parades, pancake breakfasts, world-class concerts, chili and chuckwagon cookoffs, carnival, exhibits, Indian Village, military open houses and performances by the United States Air Force Thunderbirds and, of course the event that started it all—nine Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) rodeos.
Volunteers are the fuel that drives the Cheyenne Frontier Days engine. Tasks range from sorting stock for the nine rodeos plus the slack performances; caring for the world's largest horse-drawn carriage collection and a remarkable period clothing collection; mucking horse stalls; directing traffic in all types of weather; manning gates; the care and feeding of a large media contingent; serving as hosts to the tens of thousands of spectators who enjoy the variety of events; the care and maintenance of a 100-acre park with barns, grandstands, exhibit halls, food facilities and arenas and thousands of other grizzly little details that must be accomplished for the event to succeed.
You get the picture. Cheyenne Frontier Days is a small community in and of itself for the better part of the month of July, and, complimented by a full-time staff of 13, the "community" works because of the volunteers who won't let it be anything but the best. Why do they do it? "It's the Cheyenne thing to do."
Cheyenne Frontier Days Parade circa early 1900's
Cheyenne Frontier Days Exhibit- Walking Tall
History of Cheyenne Frontier Days
In the frontier west of a young United States, cowboys roamed vast expanses of land as they tended cattle on the open prairie. After months out on the range, cowboys returned to their ranches, sometimes partaking in friendly bucking-horse competitions with other cowboys in the area.
On September 23, 1897, organizers harnessed the spirit of these impromptu matches of cowboy skill for a one day rodeo in Cheyenne. The Daddy of ‘em All was born. Since its humble origins in 1897, Cheyenne Frontier Days has been at the heart of the cowboy way of life. Through recessions, depressions, world wars and every conceivable kind of weather, Cheyenne Frontier Days evolved into the greatest celebration of western spirit that the world has ever known.
Ten days and nights of heart-pounding rodeo action, thrilling big-name entertainment, a magical carnival, a colorful Indian Village, exciting horse-drawn parades, the patriotic aerial displays of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and a whole lot more make Cheyenne Frontier Days an unmatched spectacle under the vast Wyoming skies.
Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame
The Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame showcases individuals, livestock and organizations whose distinctive contributions to Cheyenne Frontier Days have helped grow one man's dream into "The Daddy of 'em All." ®
Whether contestants, contract personnel, entertainers, livestock, organizations, families or volunteers, those voted into the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame represent the wonderful competitive and cooperative spirit that has remained the hallmark of Cheyenne Frontier Days since 1897. Members of the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum at the Associate Level (and above) vote for each class of the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame.
Click here to download a Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame Nomination Form
Class of 2008 Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame
The votes are in and it’s time to celebrate Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame Class of 2008 Inductees! The induction ceremony will take place Friday, September 12th at 5:00 PM in the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum. Seating is limited and advanced reservations are required. To be a part of this great event please call 778-1490.
Class of 2008 Hall of Fame Inductees: Guy Allen
A.V. “Ace” Tyrrell Corky Warren
Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame Inductees:
Joe Alexander John Bell Bertha Kaepernick Blanchett Margaret Boice Buzz Bradley Dazee Bristol Freckles Brown George Bruegman Paul Bruegman Wiltis A. Bruster Gene Bryan Dutch Buckles T. Joe Cahill Charles D. Carey Jr. Mary Elizabeth Carpender Johnny Cash Roy Clark John Cole Roy Cooper Charlie Daniels E.O. Davis Shawn Davis The Denver Post Marietta Dinneen Quail Dobbs Lou Domenico Bill Dubois Verne Elliott Red Fenwick Gus Fleischli Shirley Flynn Lane Frost Turk Greenough Robert D. Hanesworth Jim Hearne Tuff Hedeman Monty Henson Hirsig Family Charlie Hirsig Rudy Hofmann C.B. Irwin Jerry Jessen Ben Johnson Sr. Calvin Jumping Bull Arlene Kensinger Don Kensinger Jack Ketcham Harry Knight Chris LeDoux Linderman Family Fred Lowry Tad Lucas Buddy Lytle John D. "Jack" Mabee Larry Mahan Leonard Mayer Ed McCarty Clark McEntire Reba McEntire Don McLaughlin Ruby Mercer Merritt Family George Michael Midnight Norma Bell Morris Mr. T Dr. J.S. Palen Chuck Parkison Wick Peth Wilbur Plaugher Mel Potter Powers Family Jim Powers Tom Powers Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Ikua Purdy Sally Rand Dan Rees Warren Richardson Ike Rude Everett Shaw Jim Shoulders Col. E.A. Slack Steamboat Joseph E. Stimson Edward T. Storey George Strai Orville Strandquist Mabel Strickland Dan Taylor Jim Tescher Earl Thode Casey Tibbs Tillard Family Lorena Trickey Union Pacific Railroad U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds J.D. Vandewark Harry Vold Duane Von Krosigk Lois Wade F.E. Warren Air Force Base Princess Blue Water Shoat Webster Mary Weppner Fred Whitfield Sonny Worrell
CFD All-Around Cowboys
The All-Around Cowboy is given to the Cheyenne Frontier Days participant who wins the most money in two or more events.
Garrett Nokes, 2006
Cheyenne Frontier Days Royalty
The first Miss Frontier was selected in 1931 when the Cheyenne Frontier Days committee sponsored a contest. All six of the girls who entered were sponsored by a civic organization. Each girl was judged based on the number of tickets sold be her sponsoring organization. Miss Jean Nimmo Dubois had the honor of becoming the first Miss Frontier when the Cheyenne Post of the American legion sold the most tickets to the show. Edith Gogerty Stevens won the honor in 1932 by a popularity vote determined by the number of tickets sold at the Frontier Pavilion. In 1933, another contest sponsored by the Tribune-Eagle selected Maysie McKay Christensen as the third Miss Frontier. The year 1934 saw the CFD committee selected Lois Crain Moor as Miss Frontier and Leona Burner Gillen as her Lady-in-Waiting, starting a tradition that follows to this day.
During the reign of Mary Helen Warren Welborn in 1936, Miss Frontier acquired he traditional garb of the "White Bucks." Mary Helen had seen Sally Rand, the fan dancer who appeared at CFD wearing an outfit of leather, consisting of a divided skirt and vest trimmed in fringe and silver conches. Mary Helen thought the outfit was most appealing and so the familiar official clothing of Miss Frontier came into being work with a satin blouse.
The role of Miss Frontier has evolved through the years. Today, as well as appearing at all of the events of the show, she is a visible representative of Cheyenne Frontier Days appearing at other rodeos, press conferences and special events to promote and annual event born of an idea to create a celebration for Cheyenne.
M I S S F R O N T I E R
On the left, Kim Kuhn, Lady in Waiting 2008 and 2008 Miss Frontier, Kari Ward.
P A S T M I S S F R O N T I E R
Jean Nimmo Dubois, 1931 Edith Gogerty Stevens, 1932 Maysie McKay Christensen, 1933 Lois Crain Moor, 1934 Leona Bruner Gillen, 1935 Mary Helen Warren Wolborn, 1936 Katherine Schroeder Holmes, 1937 Helen McCarty, 1938 Louis Holmes Bartlett, 1939 Betty McIver Tarlton, 1940 Mary Ann Klett Sims, 1941 Teddy Ann Storey Varineau, 1942 Marry Ellen Jensen, 1943 Barbara Ann Benton Ward, 1944 Orlene Merritt Mills, 1945 Lois Hofmann Deaver, 1946 Ann Dinneen Smith, 1947 Susan Murray Cosgriff, 1948 Norma Jean Bell Morris, 1949 Joy Vandehei Kilty, 1950 Laura Bailey Richardson, 1951 Jane Henderson Uchner, 1952 Carol Rees Preece, 1953 Margy Hirsig Wilson, 1954 Nancy Black Zwonitzer, 1955 Marilyn yan Manoney, 1956 Lynne Mabee Sroh, 1957 Jeanette Tyrrell Daly, 1958 Merrilyn Farthing Segrest, 1959 Judy Read Brown, 1960 Mary Caldwell Weppner, 1961 April Belecky Jones, 1962 Suzanne Hanes Brown, 1963 Susan Dubois Price, 1964 Shannon Kay Hanson Smith, 1965 Kathleen Keefe Scott, 1966 Carolyn Holmes O'Connor, 1967 Dianne Spear Kirkbride, 1968 Marie Nimmo Replogle, 1969 Carol Powers Waeckerlin, 1970 Patty Berry Dougherty, 1971 Julia Robinson, 1972 Mary Boice Read, 1973 Beth Murray Edwards, 1974 Teresa Jordan, 1975 Cynthia Lummis Wiederspahn, 1976 Nancy Borthwick Grote, 1977 Diedre Kilty Newman, 1978 Shirley Holmes Churchill, 1979 Shelly Howe Erickson, 1980 Rita Holmes Helgeson, 1981 Tricia Pattno Nichols, 1982 DeDe Schuppan Buckhaults, 1983 Tamara Dereemer, 1984 Libby Crews, 1985 Marcy Morris Habbe, 1986 Michele Albert, 1987 Shannon Humphrey Hageman, 1988 Tammy Powers Rohde, 1989 Trish Golden, 1990 Niffy Bube, 1991 Kimm Acton, 1992 Rachelle Johnson, 1993 Tricia Weppner, 1994 Stacy Bishop, 1995 Kristen Dolan, 1996 Jamie Hunt, 1997 Kellie Tenborg, 1998 Tristan Kramer, 1999 Paige Vossler, 2000 Kristy VanKirk, 2001 Britt Miller, 2002 Heather Sanchez, 2003 Tara Vreeland, 2004 Joanne Brewster, 2005 Julianna "Boo" Edwards, 2006 Katie Landers, 2007
Past General Chairmen
Warren Richardson, 1897 J.L. Murray, 1898 E.W. Stone, 1899 Henry Altman, 1900 A.D. Kelley, 1901, 1902 E.A. Slack, 1903 Ed Hofmann, 1904, 1905 A.J. Vance, 1906, 1907, 1908 E.W. Stone, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912 Fred Hofmann, 1913 George S. Walker, 1914 Fred Hofmann, 1915, 1916, 1917 John J. McInerney, 1918 C.W. Hirsig, 1919 Dr. B.F. Davis, 1920 J.H. Walton, 1921 Dr. B.F. Davis, 1922, 1923 J.H. Walton, 1924 C.W. Hirsig, 1925 William G. Haas, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1931 Ed Storey, 1932, 1933, 1934 C.A. Black, 1935, 1936, 1937 Rudy Hoffman, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946 Ace Tyrrell, 1947, 1948, 1949 Dr. W.J. Ryan, 1950, 1951 James F. Powers, 1952, 1953 Willits A. Brewster, 1954, 1955 J.D. “Jack” Mabee, 1956, 1957, 1958 Charles D. Carey, Jr., 1959, 1960 O.N. “Dutch” Buckles, 1961, 1962, 1963 Louis A. Domenico, 1964, 1965 Gus Fleischli Jr., 1966, 1967 James A. Storey, 1968, 1969 E.O. Davis, 1970, 1971, 1972 W.R. “Bob” Arehart, 1973, 1974 John Cole, 1975, 1976 Duane Von Krosigk, 1977, 1978, 1979 Richard F. Pickett, 1980, 1981 Tom Powers, 1982, 1983 Kent Rutledge, 1984, 1985 Jim Hearne, 1986, 1987, 1988 Jerry Jessen, 1989, 1990, 1991 Dick Sherman, 1992, 1993, 1994 Phil Van Horn, 1995, 1996, 1997 Jim Johnson, 1998, 1999, 2000 Dale Von Krosigk, 2001, 2002, 2003 Ken McCann, 2004, 2005, 2006 Charlie West, 2007, 2008
Library and Research Center
The Library and Research Center at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum encompasses over 60,000 items relating to Cheyenne and the American West including nearly 10,000 historic photographs, over 1,000 postcard, and over 13,000 historical artifacts and publications about Cheyenne Frontier Days, the world's largest outdoor rodeo.
The Library and Research Center is open to the public by appointment only. Please contact Cathy Osterman at (307) 778-1410 to schedule an appointment to use the Library and Resource Center.
Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum 4610 Carey Avenue (307) 778-7290
Copyright © Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum 2000-2008.
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