When the West called for "men to match our mountains", a sailor on horseback answered. Some called him "Horatio Alger in a Stetson." He blazed trails in the business world and was crowned "The Rodeo King of the West" for his contributions to the sport. His name was Harry Rowell and he came to the Bay Area in 1912, at 21 years of age, a penniless young Englishman. He went on to live out the American dream.
He was a successful business man, operating a world famous saddlery, and was the provider and Rodeo Arena Director for the first Grand National Exhibition in the San Francisco Cow Palace in 1941. This was a roll he continued until he left the business in 1952. He was a cattleman and a rancher, who raised some of his own stock, which were then showcased at some 25 rodeos which he produced and promoted throughout the West. He also put on a Rodeo at his own ranch in Dublin Canyon that help to set the standards for what rodeo is today.
Harry took the rodeo business seriously, striving to give it the respect and recognition he thought it deserved as a true American sport. He only wanted to be known for one thing as the rodeo stock provider in the business; the man who supplied the best bucking horses and the best bulls. Over his 25 year career, he earned the reputation as someone who knew how to put on rodeos, and to this day he is still referred to as Harry Rowell "The Rodeo King of the West." Many people believe that rodeo is partly what it is today because of Harry Rowell.
We hope you will join us on the third weekend in May to enjoy Harry's legacy. A rider will gallop off Harry's hills carrying the American flag, and become part of the long heritage and tradition of the Rowell Ranch Rodeo.
For more information on the history of Harry Rowell and the Rowell Ranch Rodeo, you can purchase the book "Here's A Go!"
CECIL JONES ARENA DEDICATION
Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame inductee, Cecil Jones, was honored on May 15, 2010 for his long service to the Rowell Ranch Rodeo Assoc., when the Rowell Ranch Rodeo Board named their arena "The Cecil Jones Arena." The ceremony took place during the matinee performance.
Cecil, born in Idaho in 1917, rode as a competitor in 1939, riding bareback horses and saddle broncs. He moved with his wife, Fan to California in 1946 and settled in a little house on Harry and Maggie's ranch. While being ranch manager for Harry, Cecil found time to manage and later own the Rowell's Saddlery. Rowell's Saddlery is still in operation and now owned by Janet Lemmons.
Cecil has distinguished himself locally, nationally and internationally through his participation in the military and with the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association. With championships from Sydney Australia to Madison Square Garden and all across the the western United States. While still in the military in World War II, he helped organize and stage an all G.I. rodeo in Tokyo Japan.
Cecil has served on the Rowell Ranch Rodeo Committee for over 49 years, serving as it's President for 25 years.
Through all his accomplishments and travels Cecil still calls Rowell Ranch Rodeo "home," and the New Cecil Jones Arena will always have a place to hang his hat.
