Throwback Thursday: Rodeos Past
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It’s probably safe to say that in Ellensburg, Labor Day Weekend is one of the most anticipated of the year. While the end of Summer brings shorter days, cooler weather and disappointment to students less than eager to end their vacation, it also brings Rodeo – something nearly everyone can enjoy.
The Ellensburg Rodeo has been a staple in this community since the 1920s. Each year the event draws crowds from near and far, bringing a unique energy to the city.
This week, we went through our cabinet of history in search of rodeo memories past. Its not often that you see a special rotogravure pictorial section featuring Ellensburg in the Seattle Times, so this sepia tone 9 page spread immediately jumped out.
Just one look at the cover is enough to know how important Rodeo is, and always has been. Though the text is not easy to read after scanning these pages, the theme is consistent throughout – Ellensburg has retained the feeling of an Old West town, despite also being very modern. Each picture showcases the rural western culture that remains present here, some 68 years later. The importance of wheat, livestock, city schools and other institutions are described in beautiful detail.
With so much available on the web in terms of Ellensburg Rodeo history, we want to stay true to the spirit of this pictorial section, and let the beautiful photos do the talking. We’ve included all nine pages below, but if you get a chance to stop by the store, we’d love you to take a look in person!
Seattle Sunday Times Rotogravure Section CoverSeptember 4th 1949 |
Seattle Sunday Times Rotogravure Section Pg.2September 4th 1949 |
Seattle Sunday Times Rotogravure Section Pg.3September 4th 1949 |
Seattle Sunday Times Rotogravure Section Pg.4September 4th 1949 |
Seattle Sunday Times Rotogravure Section Pg.5September 4th 1949 |
Seattle Sunday Times Rotogravure Section Pg.6September 4th 1949 |
Seattle Sunday Times Rotogravure Section Pg.7September 4th 1949 |
Seattle Sunday Times Rotogravure Section Pg.8September 4th 1949 |
Seattle Sunday Times Rotogravure Section Pg.9September 4th 1949 |
” DEEP BLUE SKY, the flashing water of the Yakima River, rolling hills, a Western wind bringing the scent of pine trees – then you know you are approaching Ellensburg”
We hope you enjoy fair and rodeo safely this year!