Home » About Us » History

History

California Rodeo Salinas Historic Timeline

1872 — The Monterey County Ag Society built a two story covered pavilion, stables, bar, and restaurant on the Sausal Rancho. (Now the Salinas Sports Complex)
1875 — Three days of racing was held, as well as a donation of 69.4 acres surrounding Sausal Park by Eugene Sherwood and Richard Hellmann, to the city of Salinas. The land came with some obligations- a fair and races must be held at least every two years, or it returns to original owners.
1876 — The first fair was held on Sausal Park to help promote agriculture, raising stock and mechanics.
1878 — The name was changed from Sausal Park to Sherwood Park.
1908 — After visiting near by San Juan Bautista Fiesta and Rodeo, the “Salinas Coyotes” a group of local cattlemen thought it would be a good idea to hold a similar event. Iver “Red” Cornett thought a Wild West Show production would suit.
1909 — The first performance was held at the baseball pavilion owned by C.Z Herbert, now known as Central Park, it ran for a week and was called “Wild West Show”. It was well received from the public.
1910 — The Wild West Show was held again, featuring Wild West exhibitions including rides on bucking horses. During these years there were no chutes, or time limits and bucking horses were rode to a standstill
1911 — The first rodeo was held at the race track grounds as an added attraction to a horse race. Red Cornett called it “Big Week” due to the week long festivities such as the carnival, fair and race meeting. Frank Griffin, who was in charge of events, wanted it to be called “The California Rodeo”. Both are still used today. – Also in this year was the beginning of the horse parade down Main Street which was led by the grand old man of the California Rodeo, James R. Hebbron. – Also this was the first time for the informal night parade, where the local “townfolk” decorated automobiles and drove down the street.
1912 — The “Wild West Show” rodeo was held again and even more successful with total attendance being 4,000 people. Highlights were the inclusion of cowgirls in the bucking horse contest for the first time, as well contract headliners such as Jesse Stahl, who is arguably the most famous black cowboy, and Ty Stokes.
1913 — The days of the Trotting Races were over, and the Wild West Show became the main event and recognized as the “California Rodeo”. Arthur Hebborn was elected President. The night parade was formalized as “El Colmado del Rodeo”.
1914 — The horse parade was led by the Troop C National Guard Band and had 319 riders. Also that year the rodeo was incorporated as the “California Rodeo”
1915 — No Rodeo
1916 — The rodeo was back
1917-1918 — The Rodeo went on despite WWI, these were the seventh and eight annual event.
1919 — The rodeo experienced record crowds and welcomed returning veterans as guests.
1921 — The California Rodeo was attracting national attention. Fred McCarger, the first rodeo publicist, used two local girls to promote the rodeo.
1922 — The first clown was hired for the California Rodeo
1923 — The California Rodeo gave the city of Salinas $40,000 to obtain a Quit Claim Deed to the Sherwood Park for the rodeo grounds.
1924 — The two organizations responsible for managing the rodeo: the Big Week Committee and the California Rodeo Cattlemen’s group merged and re-incorporated as the “California Rodeo, Inc.,” a non profit corporation. In that year the city of Salinas passed a bond of $40,000 to the California Rodeo. The money was used to build an 8,000 seat grandstand, a ½ mile race track and two barns. Later fences and bucking chutes were built under the supervision of Ki Silacci who served as arena director for 40 years. No rodeo due to Hoof and Mouth Outbreak.
1926 — The first queen of the Rodeo was crowned, Miss Bernice Donahue, sponsored by local service clubs.
1928 — Mayor Jimmy Walker of New York City attended the rodeo.
1929 — The queen contest evolved into the “Sweetheart of the Rodeo” and the title was earned by Miss Lilian Kirschner. The R.A.A ( Rodeo Association of America) was founded in Salinas with goals of setting rules and a point system to determine National Champions. Professional cowboys were starting to out number local cowboys. Attendance soared to 35,000 from a record 10,000 set in 1923. The Board of Directors authorized an expansion of the grandstands for a rough cost of $5,000. Visalia Saddle Company provided the first trophy saddle.
1930 — The Board of Directors increased and named Will Rogers, Governor- elect Jim Rolph, Jr., and Mayor Jimmy Walker of New York City as honorary directors. It was also the first appearance made by Will Rogers. The Salinas Exchange Club held the first “Kiddie Kapers” parade.
1932 — Ellis Spiegl implemented “the rodeo secretary” by bringing his personal secretary and had her record all times, and the use of timing the events is still practiced today.
1934 — Gene Autry shot scenes for one of his movies at the California Rodeo.
1935 — The south grandstands were built, raising the seating capacity to 14,000. The Hostess title was created. The Cowboys Turtle Association was formed from the R.A.A, which later evolved to the P.R.C.A (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association). Entry fees were now collected and added to the prize purse.
1936 — J.R. Hebbron who led the parade since 1911 retired at age 97. Brahman bulls were used for the first time in the bull-riding contest and are still used today.
1937 — Frank Weibe was appointed Rodeo Physician. Jane Withers attended the Rodeo and rode in the official car “Ferdinand,” she later dedicated a trophy to the winner of the “Kiddie Kapers” parade. The Big Hat Barbecue was held for the first time as a “kick off” party for “Big Week”.
1940 — Pat Adcock (Garlinger) was named Hostess of the Rodeo and Marian Martin Gautier was named Sweetheart.
1941 — Last Rodeo before and during WWII.
1942 - 1946 — No Rodeo Held.
1947 ¯ With future of the rodeo in doubt, the downtown merchants raised $7,000 to help jump-start the show. The California Rodeo deeded 30 acres adjoining Sherwood Park (the Municipal ball Park). The show included standard events along with the Wild Cow Milking and Wild Horse Race.
1948 — First appearance of trick riders
1957/1958 — The first local cowboys won the Team Roping Championship title, Jim Rodriquez, Jr. and Gene Rambo.
1959 — Richard Boone, star of TV series “Have Gun Will Travel” attended the rodeo as a featured guest.
1960 — Eric Fleming and Clint Eastwood, starts of TV show “Rawhide” attended the Rodeo.
1961 — The “Pageant of the West” made its first appearance featuring Hollywood stunt men on the track.
1963 — Cowgirls Barrel Racing made its debut on the track for the first time at the California Rodeo.
1965/66/67 — The Palouse tribe of Nez Perce Indians put on the Camas Prairie Stump Race. The 1966 carnival was held on the rodeo grounds.
1966 — The Rodeo Office was built.
1967 — Local Cowboy, John Rodriquez wins “All- Around Cowboy” title.
1968 — Amanda Blake, “Miss Kitty Russell” star of TV show “Gunsmoke” attended the rodeo and was grand Marshall of the parade. She also donated the “Long Branch” Saloon to the Rodeo which was a replica of the famous saloon from “Gunsmoke”. Local Cowboy Jim Rodriquez, Jr. wins “All-Around Cowboy”. The first Latin-America Day was held at the Rodeo.
1969 — First Pageant of Flags was performed at the Rodeo.
1970-71 — The Carnival was held at the South West corner of Abbot St. and Harkins Rd.
1971 — Wilbur Plaugher retired from clowning at the California Rodeo. Bill Lane took his place, known for his acts involving his pet monkey.
1972 — The Rodeo Association purchased 14.5 acres of west US Highway 101 for a permanent home of the carnival.
1974 — The mare and foal race made its debut on the race track.
1976 — The early day tradition of driving steers down Main Street was revived during the daily parade.
1977 — The Industrial Calf Dressing made its debut at the California Rodeo. Jockey Al Hetrick celebrated 25 years of being a jockey in the daily races at the California Rodeo.
1980 — The Wrangler Bull Fights were brought to the California Rodeo.
1981 — The City of Salinas had the “Big Hats” made and placed outside the north end of the Community Center, to be used as a symbol of the Rodeo and celebrate its heritage.
1983 — Homer Hayward donated an old office to be used at the Historical Museum. It was moved and refurbished, completed in 1986, and still stands there today.
1984 — Around this year the “Exceptional Rodeo” was brought tot the California Rodeo by Pete Pedrazzi, it is now called the “Special Buckaroo Rodeo”. The event allows physically and mentally challenged children to experience rodeo first hand with the help of professional cowboys.
1985 — First ever California Rodeo Chili Cook-Off competition.
1987 — The Colmo del Rodeo parade was moved to 10 a.m Saturday morning of big week, but it was not successful in boosting attendance and the paraded was canceled the year after.
1988 — The wooden roping chutes, dated from 1975, were torn down and replaced by new metal pens and chutes. The luxury boxes that stand above the bucking chutes were built, now known as the Hansen Pavilion. Also, the vintage Wells Fargo Concord Coach found a permanent home in the Heritage Museum. The “Team Penning” was held on the track for the first time.
1991 — The age-old event, last seen in the 1913 era, Chuck Wagon Races were brought to the California Rodeo again. A new Long Branch Saloon was built at the south end of the bucking chutes.
1992 — All-time attendance record was set by 70,000 spectators over the four day show.
1994 — The PRCA changed its rules to only allow members of the association to participate in sanctioned arena events. The Riata Ranch cowboys and cowgirls were the trackside entertainment.
1995 — End of the Wild Horse Races at the California Rodeo.
1996 — Immediately following the 1996 Rodeo the old grandstands were torn down and replaced before the 1997 Rodeo by a new modern facility. The spectator capacity was increased with the main west grandstands able to hold 10,000, north and south to hold 3,000 each.
1997 — “The Cowboy” was given to the California Rodeo in Memory of L. Michael Tynan, it stands on the south side of the main grandstands.
1999 — The PBR was held for the first time Wednesday before the California Rodeo.
2001 — A reply screen brought the action ‘closer’ to the audience. The Teen Lounge was born.
2005 — The Bull X-ing tent was added on the North side of the Grandstands offering live music, a full bar and mechanical bull rides.
2008 — The California Rodeo Salinas was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame.
2008 — Camel Races were back by popular demand
2008 — Lynyrd Skynyrd played at Salinas Municipal Stadium on Saturday night after the Rodeo.
2009 — The California Rodeo Salinas celebrates 99 years of Rodeo. Famous rope artist Tomas Garcilazo set to perform on the track. Creedence Clearwater Revisited to play on Saturday July 18th after the Rodeo at Salinas Municipal Stadium.
2010 — 100 Years of Tradition to be honored during the 100th California Rodeo Salinas July 15-18th.