Columbia in Marion County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Birthplace of Mississippi Rodeo

1. Birthplace of Mississippi Rodeo Marker

Where the sport of rodeo began in the Deep South

Inscription. Mississippi's first rodeo was held here September 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.

Erected 2018 by Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Entertainment • Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is September 24, 1935.

Location. 31° 15.004′ N, 89° 49.258′ W. Marker is in Columbia, Mississippi, in Marion County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Broad Street and Alberta Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Located in Friendship Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 900 Broad Street, Columbia MS 39429, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Gov. Hugh L. White Mansion (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lampton-Thompson-Bourne House (approx. 0.6 miles away); First Baptist Church (approx. ¾ mile away); Hanging of Will Purvis

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(approx. 0.8 miles away); Marion County War Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); Temporary State Capital (approx. 0.9 miles away); 720 Main Street (approx. 0.9 miles away); Ford House (approx. 3.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

More about this marker. An official Mississippi State Historical Marker and the state's first marker about the sport of rodeo.

Regarding Birthplace of Mississippi Rodeo. Cowboys and cowgirls who participated in the first years of rodeos in Columbia were from Canada, Utah, Arizona and Texas. Earl Bascom, Weldon Bascom, Waldo Ross, Milby Lybbert, Jake Lybbert were from Alberta, Canada. Ashel Evans, Donal Pierce and Ferrol Pierce were from Utah. Ralph "Jasbo" Fulkerson and Barbara "Tad" Lucas were from Texas. Rose Bascom, Ed Diffey, Ernest Buhrer, Sam Jackson and Clyde Hatchell were from Columbia. Earl Bascom returned to Columbia in 1985 to serve as Grand Marshall of the parade and rodeo, and was given the "Key to the City" in celebration of the 50th year of the Columbia Rodeo. In 2016, Earl Bascom became the first inductee of the Mississippi

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Rodeo Hall of Fame, headquartered in Columbia.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 1, 2019. This page has been viewed 398 times since then and 41 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on December 1, 2019. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

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