Livingston Roundup Rodeo

By Carla Williams

The Livingston Roundup Rodeo was started in 1926 by a group of local businessmen. Their goal was to create an event to keep travelers in Livingston. The rodeo continued until the onset of World War II and was canceled during the war years. In the late 1940s, a young man approached one of the local businessmen and asked to use money held at the First National Park Bank (today known as First Interstate Bank) to revive the old rodeo. Today, the Livingston Roundup Rodeo is one on the most renowned events of its kind. Visitors come from all over the world to attend this wonderful three-day event that occurs every year from July 2 to 4. Hosting more than 5,000 people every night, the rodeo has seen wedding parties, family reunions, and even a surprise engagement every now and then.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
• Release date: Jun 9, 2014
• ISBN: 9781439645994

Carla Williams

Carla G. Williams, a member of the Livingston Roundup Association, has created this wonderful book with the help of committee and local community members. Carla was born and raised in the Livingston area. She has gained valuable insight from John Fryer, who has provided historical photographs and information about the Livingston Roundup Rodeo.

Book preview

2013

One

ORIGINS AND

THE EARLY YEARS

In 1925, a handful of Livingston businessmen had a vision. They felt there was a need for a civic program each year that would serve as a vehicle for community action; something really Western with lots of action, thrills, fun, and amusement was a declared need. The prevailing idea was for a program that covered a reasonable number of days and would help to acquaint the dude ranch guests and summer tourists with the mountain region. Nestled in the Absaroka, Crazy, and Beartooth Mountains and just a hop, skip, and jump from the original northern entrance to Yellowstone National Park was the start to Livingston Roundup Rodeo.

The original committee set the dates of July 2, 3 and 4. Members consisted of Bill Penny, president; Charles Charlie Murphy of Ox Yoke Ranch, arena director; Sol Frank, secretary; and Al Volberding, treasurer. The first Livingston Roundup Association was started in 1924 by charter members Sol Frank, secretary-treasurer; Herb Bates, director; Eva Garnier, originator of the traditional kiddies section of the roundup parade; Don Cowles, senior first association president; Park County sheriff Clarence Gilbert; Frank Rogers; Claire Flint, editor of the Livingston Enterprise; James F. O’Connor; Bud Wiggins; Charlie Murphy, arena director; and Ernest Shelly. Directors named at a later date included E. Pat Kelly, Walter Hill, Roy Spencer, and Rev. Sam McCarthy. All of these men were behind the successful shows that ran continuously until 1942.

This is Charlie Murphy and his wife, Peg, the owners of the Ox Yoke Ranch in Emigrant, Montana. They contributed for many years to the Livingston Roundup. Charlie rode in the saddle bronc event in small-town rodeos and on the ranch when he was young. In October 1923, Park County’s own Charlie Murphy was in charge of the stock at the Madison Square Garden Rodeo in New York City. By Labor Day of 1924, in less than a year, 28 head of those top bucking horses were on the Murphys’ property. Other partners in the first roundup venture were Al Volberding and Grant Saylor. Ranchers from Clyde Park, Wilsall, and the upper Yellowstone region brought in what broncs they had and added them to the original 28. All the cows and calves used came from Charlie’s own stock at Ox Yoke Ranch. All the contestants were local cowboys. (Courtesy of Park County