New historical marker highlights Columbia’s role in sport’s development
The Marion County Cattlemen’s Association and Marion County Historical Society unveiled a new historical marker Monday in City Park recognizing the “birthplace of Mississippi rodeo.”
Ken Knopp of the historical society explained how the nation’s first outdoor rodeo at night under electric lights was held there in 1935. He said it was either where the Columbia High School football field is today or the adjacent softball field.
The Cattlemen’s Association, which continues to sponsor an annual rodeo in Columbia that’s coming up March 15 and March 16, funded the historical marker.
The sign from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History reads, “Birthplace of Mississippi Rodeo: Mississippi’s first rodeo was held Sept. 24-26, 1935. The rodeo was sponsored by two local businessmen, rancher Samuel Hickman of the B Bar H Ranch and George Baylis, owner of the Baylis Drug Store. Several notable cowboys were involved, including Earl Bascom, later recognized as the ‘Father of Modern Rodeo.’ Held at the Columbia High School baseball field, it is recognized as the nation’s first outdoor rodeo to be held at night under electric lights.”
Knopp said a few Canadian cowboys had brought a load of horses to the ranch.
“The boys ran into some ladies – some pretty Mississippi ladies – and one thing led to another. They stayed the whole summer, and by September they stayed long enough to produce a rodeo. That rodeo ended up being not only the first rodeo in Columbia, but in the state of Mississippi,” Knopp said.
He said three of the six cowboys ended up marrying girls they met here.
“So I guess you could say love had something to do with the first rodeo here,” he said.
Earl Bascom and his brother Weldon became well known in rodeo nationally. Also, they brought Brahmin bulls from stockyards in New Orleans to Columbia that ended up being the first Brahmin bulls used in a bull bucking event, Knopp said.
“Our rodeo started in 1935 here, but it’s carried on today by the Marion County Cattlemen’s Association, who has produced it for decades now. They also sponsored and paid for our historical marker,” he said.
Pictured Above: Members of the Marion County Cattlemen’s Association join Ken Knopp of the Marion County Historical Society, center left, and Mayor Justin McKenzie Monday for an unveiling of a rodeo historical marker in City Park. From left are Billy Raybourn, Keith Riley, Justin Green, Marty Raybourn, Knopp, McKenzie, Michael McDaniel, Julius Miller, Trent Tolar, Mark McDaniel, Kenny Price, Doug McLaughlin and Barry Powell. | Photo by Charlie Smith
