In addition to Stephenville, Texas, there are several cities across the country that refer to themselves as the “Cowboy Capital of the World.” Oh! Now wait a minute! How can Dodge City, Kansas, Banderas, Texas, and Oakdale, California ALL claim the same title as Stephenville? Someone is not telling the truth.
Give me a rope.
True, Oakdale, California, had the first outdoor rodeo in the West, which began in the fabulous early ’50s. Nineteen fifty, that is. What is so “cowboy” about the era of Rockabilly, Elvis, 3D movies and hoola-hoop?
Banderas, Texas began as a setting for the great cattle drives of yesteryear. The city is known for its “amigo” ranches that sprang up when ranching fell on hard times. When was that? During the Great Depression of 1929, an enterprising rancher decided to open his ranch to city dwellers as a means of generating extra income, and a new industry was born. Maybe it should be called City Slicker Capital or Dude Ranch Capital, since Banderas has hung his hat on that.
Dodge City, Kansas is known by several nicknames, including Queen of the Cowtowns, Wickedest Little City in America, and Buffalo Capital of the World. Come on, Dodge, you sure don’t need another nickname, do you? Famous for the likes of Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp and Boot Hill, these days Dodge is keeping its heritage alive through historic preservation programs. Avoid, stop “dodging” the subject… honor your past but stop living in it. That’s sad.
WILL THE REAL COWBOY CAPITAL RISE UP?
Enter Stephenville, TX! The TRUE Cowboy Capital of the World located in what is known as the Cross Timbers region of the state. How can a small town, 70 miles south of Fort Worth and nearly 2 hours from Abilene, make such a bold claim? Easy! The Cross Timbers region has been a full pass for the American cowboy since the Americans crossed the Mississippi west. The lush timber basins of the Trinity, Brazos, and Bosque rivers (timber chains “crossed” at this point, hence the name “Cross Timbers”) produced thousands of unbranded Longhorn cattle. Essentially, it’s where the longhorns came to graze. The famous Goodnight-Loving Trail originated in the Cross Timbers region; the Great Western Trail ran right through the heart of the Cross Timbers area. One veteran told me that one of those trails started right where the Sonic Drive-In is located on Washington Street and insisted that there should be a historical marker placed there.
This area of Cross Timbers is one of the few places in the United States that is directly involved in the evolution of the “professional cowboy.” During the period from 1930 to 1950, the ranch cowboy found that the general public was enamored with the idea of the Cowboy. A significant number of Hollywood-produced movies exalted the cowboy myth, and audiences yearned for more of it. To meet this need, rodeos were held at Madison Square Garden, Boston Garden, etc. These rodeos were played to packed houses, even during the Great Depression. Since the first indoor rodeos were held in Fort Worth at the Cowtown Coliseum, much of the expertise for these large building rodeos came from the area Cowboys of the Cross Timbers, many of whom called Stephenville home. .
With this being the Cowboy Capital, chances are you’ll find all things Cowboy just as you’d expect, in every direction you look. For example, this is where you’ll find the largest private country and western club in the state, with live CW bands and two steps all night long. Then there’s the Cross Timbers Country Opry, a riding equine industry, and the fact that Stephenville is the county seat of Erath County, the largest dairy producer in Texas.
It stands to reason that where there are horses and cows, there are cowboys and cowgirls. Yes, people shopping with spurs can be seen in these places all the time. It’s not uncommon to see a world champion cowboy or music celebrity in town, sharing in everyday community life. In town these days, it could be singer Jewel or Rodeo Cowboys Ty Murray, Tom Reeves, Tuff Hedeman or Cody Ohl. There was a time when 20,000 spectators packed into Everett Colburn’s Rodeo Bowl from 1940 to 1959. Colburn’s Lightning C Ranch was the largest ranch in the world devoted entirely to rodeo cattle. Lightning C was operated by Colburn, but was later joined by TV Cowboy star Gene Autry. This rodeo set up its events and contestants each year in Dublin and then traveled by train to New York’s Madison Square Garden and Boston Garden. In those days, the likes of Autry, Roy Rogers, Audy Murphy and more West Hollywood stars and rodeo greats were seen regularly in the Cross Timbers area, especially in Stephenville and nearby Dublin, according to local veterans. Many of these are honored in downtown Stephenville’s Heritage Square, where you’ll find the Cowboy Capital Walk of Fame, here to recognize the importance of Western heritage that is an integral part of Stephenville and the Cross Timbers area. .
SMILE WHEN YOU SAY THIS
So what do we mean when we use the term “cowboy” anyway? Stephenville backs up its cowboy claim by declaring that Erath County is home to more professional cowboys and cowgirls, per square mile, than anywhere else on the planet. Who did the math? Well, that’s a mystery like the Marfa lights, but there’s no doubt that there are plenty of horse trailers, pickup trucks, and Western Wear stores to accommodate all the ‘pokes’ in these parts. Our cowboy culture is real, and all one has to do is take a look outside, or smell the air at our dairy, to attest to that fact.
The REAL Cowboy Capital is home to Lone Star Arena, a massive indoor rodeo complex featuring a regular schedule of barrel racing, horse shows, bull riding, team roping and more (www.lonestararena.com). The USTRC Calf Roping Finals are held there annually and the Bayer Legends Celebration of Champions will be here in February 2006. Other crowd favorites held in Stephenville each year include the Texas Music Festival of Larry Joe Taylor and the Chili Cook-Off in April at Melody Mountain Ranch & RV Park (www.larryjoetaylor.com) and rodeo champions will come to town for the Cowboy Capital of the World Pro Rodeo (www.stephenvilleprca.com) in May at the Erath County Livestock Arena. DairyFest, an annual celebration of the local dairy industry with all the free dairy you can stomach, takes place in June in City Park.
CAPITAL IDEA FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM
Is Stephenville the cowboy capital? Bet your boots! But it is more than that. Whether your focus is commerce, education, culture, recreation, or just a great place to settle, Stephenville is a “capital” idea. The city is known as one of the most desirable places in the country to live and earn a living. In fact, it’s included in Norman Crampton’s “The 100 Best Small Towns in America” published by Prentice Hall.
Yes, the City is committed to aggressively providing services that promote the highest quality of life for the citizens of Stephenville.
Promote a business? No one helps you maximize your business capital like The Chamber… the award-winning Stephenville Chamber of Commerce, that is! In five years, this organization has grown from less than 300 to more than 700 local businesses, and tourism revenue is consistently higher than ever. As a business professional, you’ll definitely want to capitalize on Stephenville’s skilled and capable workforce, many of whom attend our local university.
When it comes to reading, writing, and arithmetic, Stephenville spells “Education” with a capital “E.” The Stephenville Independent School District has a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students. There are two elementary schools for boys in grades K through 4 and a middle school for grades 5 through 6. The high school includes grades 7 and 8 and the high school, grades 9 through 12. Scholarly, musically, athletically. ..the success of These schools have truly made Stephenville a city of champions!
Located in the heart of Stephenville is Tarleton State University. Founded in 1899 as John Tarleton College, in 1917 the college became part of the Texas A&M University System and gained official university status in 1973. Tarleton College has experienced considerable growth over the past decade (about 8% annually), with a current enrollment of over 8,000. Students come from more than 200 Texas counties, as well as 30 states and ten foreign nations. Tarleton is dedicated to providing outstanding instruction and concern for the individual, ensuring that students acquire the tools they need to pursue successful careers, gain cultural enrichment, and become productive citizens and leaders in a diverse and ever-changing culture. Tarleton offers the community the Clyde H. Wells Center for the Fine Arts, as well as the TSU Planetarium, providing the community with a wonderful variety of visual sensations to enjoy.
Since we are on the subject of higher education, let’s talk about Higher Education, the development of one’s spiritual life. Whatever your worship preference, you’ll likely find it here in Stephenville. With a wide variety of churches to choose from, many with a passion for unity, you’re sure to find your next local church here! That includes (what else?) the thriving Erath County Cowboy Church.
Yes, Stephenville is the cowboy capital of Texas… and it’s proud of it. But overall, whether your interest includes business, family, education, or recreation, you’re sure to find Stephenville, Texas to be the “capital” idea you’ve been looking for.