Northeast Oklahoma City in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)
Baldy
1932-1961
Photographed by Thomas Smith, April 12, 2025
1. Baldy Marker
Baldy sired by Red Buck out of the Steelbust mare Babe Dawson, was bred by pioneer quarter horse man John Bawson and foaled in 1932 at Talala, Oklahoma. He was raised from a yearling on Ronald Mason's Cross J Ranch near Nowata. Ike Rude bought him as a three year old, named him Baldy, and made a rope horse out of him. Baldy had natural stop that developed into the best stop of any calf horse ever known although no more than a half dozen men could really ride him well, he had the reputation of being the best rope horse in rodeo history. In January of 1942, Rude sold Baldy to Clyde Burk for the unheard of price of $2500. That year and again in 1944, Burk won the World Championship riding Baldy. After Clyde's death in 1945, Baldy was sold to Troy Fort, who also won the World Championship in 1947, the first year he owned the horse and again in 1948. It is estimated that over 300,000 dollars have been won on Baldy. Troy retired him in 1950 after the horse suffered a heart attack. Baldy died in 1961 and is buried at the Jake McClore Area in Lovington, New Mexico
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Location. 35° 32.073′ N, 97° 28.955′ W. Marker is in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in Oklahoma County. It is in Northeast Oklahoma City. It is on Northeast 63rd Street 2 miles Northeast 66th Street. The marker is at the National Cowboy Hall of fame and Western Heritage Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1700 NE 63rd St, Oklahoma City OK 73111, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Oklahoma Frontier Country. It is also in the American South, specifically on the prairies, and on the Southern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Steamboat (here, next to this marker); Hells Angels (here, next to this marker); Tornado (a few steps from this marker); Buffalo Bill (within shouting distance of this marker); Oil Derrick (within
Photographed by Thomas Smith, April 12, 2025
2. Baldy Marker
Photographed by James Hulse, September 16, 2025
3. Baldy Marker (right side)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2025, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 95 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 3, 2025, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. 3. submitted on September 21, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
