The groundbreaking for the African American Memorial/ Black Cowboys Museum at FBC Bates Allen Park in Kendleton, Texas, was on August 24th. 2024, and the ribbon-cutting is scheduled for 2025.
Local cowboy legend who states he doesn't want toot his own horn Larry Callies says historically, white men were cowhands and slaves were cowboys until Hollywood took on the term in the 1920s.
Mr. Larry Callies of Boling, Texas has made it his mission to educate the world on what it means to be a Black cowboy.
Callies is the owner, of the Black Cowboy Museum in Rosenberg.
Callies started rodeo riding when he was 15 years old.
Mr. Callies was the first black to win an all-white rodeo in 1967, & second to make the state finals, but I didn't win," said Callies.
Callies discovered another talent as a country music singer until he lost his voice, later diagnosed with vocal cord dysphonia.
The Black Cowboy Museum Spotlights Kendleton Rodeo Arena, like stepping into a time capsule to the western USA of the 1800s. In the 1960s and '70s, Kendleton, TX, Rodeo Arena sponsors would bring twice the number of people to this Black historical town of just over 400.
Rodeo events included a parade, calf roping, steer roping, tie-down roping, barrel racing, bronco riding, bull riding, Bobby Bo Bland, a bullfighter rodeo clown, and Model T hand crank jalopy.
The Rodeo Arena included a dance hall where Bobby Bo Bland and BB King entertained.
The most significant events were held on the 4th of July, Easter Sundays, and Juneteenth Freedom Day.
Hall of Famer 2004 bull rider Mr. Willie Thomas competed at the Kendleton Rodeo Arena and was raised in Richmond, TX, A.P. George Ranch in the 1930s.
A White cowhand interrupted his Hall of Fame ceremony and apologized for refusing to blow the whistle after 8 seconds when Mr. Thomas was riding the bull about 50 years prior.
Hall of Famer Mr. Myrtis Dightman, a Black American former professional Rodeo Cowboy Legend who specialized in bull riding, competed at the Kendleton, TX Rodeo Arena. Dightman played himself in the movie J.W. Coop. He endured challenges and became a symbol of breaking racial barriers in rodeo.
Other Hall of Fame inductees who competed at Kendleton Rodeo Arena include Mr. Bailey Prairie Kid, Mr. Clinton Wyche, Mr. Freddie Skeet Gordon, Mr. Grady Allen, and Mr. Tex Williams.
Mr. Harold Cash, who grew up at his grandfather's ranch in Kendleton, TX, and competed at the Kendleton Rodeo Arena many times, was the first Black cowboy state high school champion in Texas.
Black American cowboys have been an integral part of Texas history since the early 1800s, working on ranches and participating in cattle drives. In the 1850s.
After the Civil War, emacapation, many Black cowboys found employment as ranch hands, yet few were able to advance to the roles of ranch managers or foremen. Some pursued careers as rodeo performers and federal peace officers or even owned their ranches. Many Black cowboys were involved in the great cattle drives that originated in the Southwest in the late 1800s.
Notable Black cowboys include Nat Love, who documented his cowboy lifestyle in an autobiography, and William "Bill" Pickett, credited with inventing the bulldogging technique and later inducted into the National Cowboy Hall of Fame.
Despite their significant contributions, the history of Black cowboys has been underrepresented and often overlooked. They faced racism and discrimination, particularly in towns where they were barred from certain establishments. However, within their crews, they found respect and equality.
The actual groundbreaking for the African
American Memorial at FBC Bates Allen Park in Kendleton, Texas, USA.
Organized 2023, groundbreaking, 2024, ribbon cutting, 2025.
Future site of the Black Cowboy Museum Larry Callies
Black American cowboys have been a part of Texas history since the early 1800s when they worked on ranches and in cattle drives:
In the 1850s, Black Americans were the majority of cowboys in Texas, making up about one-third of the state's population. They worked as ropers, wranglers, trail cooks, and bronco busters.
Many Black cowboys found work as housebreakers after the Civil War, but few became ranch managers or foremen. Some became rodeo performers, while others became federal peace officers or owned their ranches
Many Black cowboys participated in the great cattle drives that originated in the Southwest in the late 1800s.
Some famous Black Cowboys include Nat Love, who wrote an autobiography about the cowboy lifestyle, and William "Bill" Pickett, who invented the bulldogging technique and was inducted into the National Cowboy Hall of Fame.
28 сен 2024
