Sunday Stories: Harshfield Ranch Wild West Show


During the 1920’s several “Wild West Shows were held at the Harshfield Ranch on the Birdwood Creek in a canyon the family still calls “Round-up Canyon.”
These “Old Range Round-ups” (Known in 1921-22 as Platte River Round-up) that lasted three or four days, and included such events as rodeos (rough riding, roping and bull dogging), dances, an Indian attack on an emigrant wagon train, chuck wagon meals, etc. 

Indians from the Rosebud Reservation were brought down to take part in the show (performing as Ogallala Sioux Indians); they staged dances and performances of their own to entertain the spectators. 

People came and camped near the show grounds at Roundup Canyon. 
This show was held in a “natural arena” on the south side of the creek, east of the ranch headquarters. 
There were no bleachers, parking stalls, chain link fences; the spectators sat on the ground up on the side hills and enjoyed the many different re-enactments of “Life in the Old West.” 
Managers of the events were John Harshfield, Secy/Treas, and Col. W. J. Taylor.

Comments

  1. This is one of my favorite pieces of Sutherland history and it would be amazing to be able to do something like this again! Great story thanks.

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  2. Thank you! When I started looking through the history book, I realized how many great stories were in there that have never been seen by a wider audience. That's when I decided to start sharing the Sunday Stories series. Glad you like it.

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