Rodeo occupies a special position in modern sports, having actually established from an American culture that is rapidly changing. Rodeo is a window into the past while at the very same time offers an unique and fully modern sport with an exciting and fascinating environment. Learn more about the history of rodeo through the early years of its development.
The Spanish cattlemen, known as vaqueros, would affect the American cowboy with their clothing, language, customs, and equipment which would in turn affect the contemporary sport of rodeo. Tasks on these early cattle ranches consisted of roping, horse breaking, riding, herding, branding, and a lot more. These activities stay the exact same today on contemporary ranches all-be-it with contemporary techniques and devices. James McGlinchey, on a bay horse was bring another flag. At a given signal, the horses raced down the hill - the white horse in the lead. At the foot of the hill, many other horses followed the very first two into the arena forming a colorful grand entry. Much of the stock came from regional ranches, however some was generated from other locations.
F. Madsen, proprietor of the Bell Theater, Universal Studios recorded the event. The newsreel was shown throughout the nation - Livermore was on the map! The success of the very first rodeo resulted in the development of the Livermore Stockmen's Rodeo Association in April 1919. The association chosen 15 acres of the Callaghan vineyard on Lizzie Street (now Livermore Avenue) and sold stock or script for $25 a share to buy the land.
Construction of the center section of the grandstand and some bleachers, which together held 2,400 seats, were completed for the second rodeo, which was hung on July 3rd, fourth and 5th, 1919, an was explained by the Livermore Herald as "the most effective rodeo ever kept in the west." In early years, the show was always held on the 4th of July plus the weekend immediately following or preceding the 4th - for this reason the program ran from two to 5 days.
Those with the finest vocal chords were "Foghorn" Murphy and later Ike Latimer followed by Abe Lofton. From 1930-1965 with a P. A. System and often on horseback, came Livermore's own Bud Bentley. Professional commentators were employed from then to now. Throughout the early years there were lots of regional riders.
All were seen on film newsreels. Those in charge worked hard and provided kindly to guarantee the success of the show and the fulfillment of the spectators and the participants as well. John McGlinchey would send out 2 header wagons out to the Mourterot Ranch and purchase hay so that the numerous cowboys that stayed at his home would have feed for their horses.
The Spanish impact was highlighted in these early rodeos. In reality, "old timers" still state "Ro-day-oh" while others pronounce it as Ro-dee-oh. The program was well promoted, and individuals dressed in either Spanish or western clothing. Trips to Oakland and San Francisco were planned. Groups would parade down the streets in costume bring signs revealing the date's of the rodeo.
As Soon As the Oakland Auditorium was utilized as a hospitality home and "mini" rodeo museum. Rooms there were embellished and staffed with people serving refreshments to all who attended. Rodeo time was "Huge Time" in Livermore; everybody was getting included in some method. The local merchants were thankful to have the increase of people and dressed "western" weeks preceding the program.
Barnard Mouterot remembers heading out to the Ruby Hill Winery to cut palm fronds to embellish the light poles on First Street. Banners were strung throughout First and Second Streets, and on Lizzie Street out of the rodeo premises. Many shop fronts had actually rodeo scenes painted on their windows and shops were decorated.
Weeks earlier, the men in the area began growing beards for the "Whiskerino Contest." High school students were a vital part of advertising. Photographers from the Oakland Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle and San Francisco Inspector would take photos of the ladies in western or Spanish attire. These photos were utilized for publicity purposes.
Their "pay" was totally free admission. High school kids placed marketing posters along the highways from Livermore to Stockton and to San Francisco, and on the Dunbarton and Antioch bridges. Rodeo Week was also "Carnival Time" in Livermore. In the early years, the carnival was held on J and K Streets in addition to on Second Street.
Vacant lots and south of Second Street were used for rides. Later on the carnival moved north of First Street and south of Railroad Avenue. Street dances were held during the night on J Street in between First and Second. On one celebration, there was a dance at Sweeney Ballroom. Contributing to the festivity, the "Hoosegow" or jail on wheels would take a trip First Street daily trying to find anyone not wearing some kind of western or Spanish outfit.
In addition to this "Big" Parade, there was likewise a horse parade at 12 or 1 o'clock every day of the program. The horses paraded east on First Street, turned south on Lizzie Street (Livermore Ave.) and went out to the Rodeo grounds, where they went into and participated in the Grand Entry.
May 1, 1921, marked the very first time that the rodeo grounds were used for a community occasion aside from a rodeo, when a May Day Fete was held for all the schools in the Livermore-Amador Valley. A California Frontier Days Pageant was part of the entertainment at the 1921 Livermore Rodeo.
For instance, in the mid 1930's all of the rural schools in South Alameda County gathered at the premises for an athletics "playday." As the Rodeo showed to be a monetary success, land acquisitions and enhancements continued. More seating was put up and all grandstands were covered. More chutes and holding pens were built.
It is still being utilized for neighborhood occasions. In 1948 the Association's holdings had grown to 40.5 acres. The well earned motto "World's Fastest Rodeo" was initially used in 1935. Speed had actually always been an essential factor. There was a track around the arena where many events were held. This consisted of cowboy and cowgirl races, relay races where cowboys or cowgirls altered horses at each station, and Pony Express races, where saddles as well as horses were altered.
