Category: Western History
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Breaking Trail: Paul Raymond “Mike” Hastings
Paul Raymond “Mike” Hastings was born in 1891 in Casper, Wyoming. He was the son of Louise and D.A. Hastings. Mike Hastings would go on to become known as the ‘Tarzan’ of bulldoggers in the rodeo world, while others referred to him as the ‘king of bull-doggers.’ He realized he…
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Breaking Trail: Leonard Stroud
Leonard Stroud was born in Monkstown, Texas on December 1, 1893. He was the son of Leona and William Stroud. Leonard competed in saddle and bareback riding, steer roping, bulldogging, trick riding, and trick roping. He was most well-known for his trick riding and trick roping skills. From 1915-1925, Leonard Stroud “was…
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Breaking Trail: Alice Greenough
“But the excitement of the rodeos, the crowds and the thrill of jolting around on a tough horse get into your blood and I guess you just can’t stay away, even if you wanted to.” -Alice Greenough “A Candid Talk With — A Cowgirl…” The Daily News and Intelligencer (Mexico,…
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Breaking Trail: Katherine “Kitty” Wilkes
Katherine “Kitty” Derre was born in New York on July 15, 1899. She was the daughter of Maryann and D.E. Derre. Katherine was a talented bronc rider and had a knack for breaking horses. She would ride them to submission and if she was bucked off she’d hop right back…
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Breaking Trail: Lucille Mulhall
Are you ready to meet the woman who United States President Theodore Roosevelt called “The Golden Girl of the West?” Lucille Mulhall was born in St. Louis, Missouri on October 21, 1885. Lucille was the daughter of Colonel Zack and Mary Agnes Mulhall. Her family moved to Oklahoma when she…
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Breaking Trail: Mamie Francis
Elba Mae Ghent was born on September 8, 1885 in Nora, Illinois. She was raised on a ranch by her mother and had a deep appreciation for them. In 1901, she attended a performance by Pawnee Bill’s Wild West Show in Wisconsin. She saw her favorite athlete, Lulu Bell Parr…
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Breaking Trail: Yakima Canutt
Enos Edward “Yakima” Canutt was born in Colfax, Washington on November 29, 1895. He was the son of John and Nettie Canutt. He had a long career working with horses in the rodeo arena and on the movie screen! Rodeo Yakima was named the All-Around Champion Cowboy in 1917, 1919,…
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Breaking Trail: Bea Kirnan
Beatrice “Bea” Brosseau was born in Turton, South Dakota on October 9, 1892. She was the daughter of Virginia and David Brosseau. Bea was a great relay racer, Roman rider, and bronc rider. She began competing when she was 16 years old. She married Thomas “Tommy” Francis Kirnan on November…
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Breaking Trail: Goldie St. Clair
Irene “Goldie” Wooden was born in Kanas in 1890/91 to Stephen and Katie Wooden. The Woodens lived in Kansas during Goldie’s early childhood, but they eventually packed their belongings and moved to Oklahoma. By 1900, the Wooden family was living in McElroy, Oklahoma. Goldie loved riding and often chose some…
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Breaking Trail: Tillie Baldwin
Anna Matilda Winger was born in 1888 in Avendale, Norway. She emigrated to the United States in 1902 and lived with her aunt in New York. She was 14 years old at the time and would go on to become a very talented rodeo cowgirl despite never riding a horse before…
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Breaking Trail: Ikua Purdy
Ikua Purdy was born on December 24, 1872, at Waimea, Hawaii. He was a descendent of John Palmer Parker and Kipikane (granddaughter of King Kameameha The Great). Purdy grew up on the Parker Ranch learning to rope and ride. Many considered him a “master of the rope” by age 20.…
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Breaking Trail: Florence Hughes Randolph
Florence Hughes Randolph was born in 1898 in Augusta, Georgia. She learned how to ride on plow mules. She learned to Trick and Roman ride with Colonel King’s IXL Ranch Wild West show. In 1916, she organized Princess Mohawk’s Wild West Hippodrome. She performed with traveling carnivals. Florence defeated thirteen…
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Breaking Trail: Will Rogers
William Penn Adair Rogers, more commonly known as “Will” Rogers, was born in Indian Territory (what would later become Oklahoma) on November 4, 1879. Rogers was Cherokee. He was the eighth child of Clement Vann Rogers and Mary America Schrimsher Rogers. He was the only son to survive to adulthood…
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Historic Markers in Guthrie, OK
Hey, friend! Welcome back to another post. Today, I’m going to show you all of the historic markers I found in Guthrie, Oklahoma. I have transcribed the text on the markers below each photo so it is easier for you to read! Victor Building “Triumph of its time, the ‘Victor…
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Follow Along the ’89er Trail with Me in Oklahoma City
Hey, friend! Welcome back to another post! Today, I want to tell you about a trail of historical markers in Oklahoma City called, ‘The ’89er Trail.’ I’ll show you what each marker looks like and tell you where to find it. I am going to transcribe the major text on…
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Quanah Parker Historical Marker: Fort Worth, TX
I wanted to share a couple of photos of the historic marker dedicated to Quanah Parker in the Fort Worth Stockyards. The text from the panel on the right is transcribed below! “Comanche Chief Quanah Parker was a son of two cultures. He was born about 1845 along Elk Creek,…
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Breaking Trail: Frank “Pistol Pete” Eaton
Frank Eaton also known as “Pistol Pete” lived a life worthy of legend. Now you might be wondering why this name sounds familiar… Well, that’s because “Pistol Pete” is the mascot for Oklahoma State University, the University of Wyoming and New Mexico State University. Frank Boardman Eaton was born on…
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COWGIRL 30 Under 30 Weekend
Hey, friend! Welcome back to another post. Today, I wanted to recap the magical and empowering weekend that was COWGIRL 30 Under 30. I got to spend four days down in Fort Worth meeting and networking with some of the most amazing women currently in the Western industries. First, I…
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Breaking Trail: Ruth Roach
Known as “The World’s Most Beautiful Cowgirl,” Ruth Roach was born in 1896 at Excelsior Springs, Missouri. She learned to ride on her uncle’s donkeys and then joined the 101 Ranch Wild West Show at the age of sixteen. She married Buck Roach in 1914. Ruth entered her first rodeo…
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Cattle Raisers Museum: Fort Worth, TX
Hey, friend – welcome back to another post! Today, we’re talking about the Cattle Raisers Museum inside the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History in the Cultural District. Let’s get started! Mission Statement: “The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Foundation’s mission is to preserve, promote and protect the rich heritage…
The Active Historian 