Francis Hammond
The Buckaroo Hall of Fame and Heritage Museum was first established in
1988 and then incorporated in 1989 by Carl F. Hammond, in honor of his
father, Francis Hammond. It is currently housed in the East Hall of the
Convention Center in Winnemucca Nevada. There are 70 some inductees, with
photos and memorabilia, in the museum. This museum preserves the Buckaroo
Heritage of the Great Basin area of the west; where true legends of this
great country will live on.
The
Buckaroo Hall of Fame and Heritage Museum
Legendary Buckaroo inductees are men of character who were known and admired
for skills relating to the "Buckaroo" life style; old-style bronc riding,
rawhide braiding, horseman skills, (roping and cattle handling), or a
cowboss for a big ranching outfit. Nominees must have worked in the Great
Basin area as a "Buckaroo" within roughly a 200 mile radius of Winnemucca,
Nevada. To avoid conflicts of interest and problems with "politics," nominees
are not accepted until 85 years after date of birth. Nominations are accepted
by the board from Buckaroo Hall of Fame members only, by July 1st. Board
meetings that determine annual honorees are held the 3rd weekend in July.
Depending on which description you go by, the Great
Basin is a geographic region roughly encompassing most of Nevada,
and parts of California, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and a bit of Wyoming. It
was first named the Great Basin by early explorer John Fremont who discovered
that no water in this region drains to the sea. Instead, rivers and creeks
all end in valleys where the water evaporates. These parts of Oregon,
Idaho, Nevada and surrounding states are classified “high desert”.
Most of America’s wild horse herds are found in the Great Basin.
What
the heck is a "Buckaroo?"
The word "Buckaroo" is descended ("Anglo-Speak!" or, Anglicized pronunciation)
that evolved from the Spanish word "Vaquero" which means fine horseman
and cowman ("v" is pronounced "b" in Spanish).
In
1927 Charles M. Russell, the noted painter and interpreter of the West,
commented about buckaroo's penchant for fancy gear: “…usin’
centerfire or single-cinch saddles, with high fork an’ cantle;
packed a sixty or sixty-five foot rawhide rope, an’ swung a big
loop. These cow people were generally strong on pretty, usin’ plenty
of hoss jewelry, silver-mounted spurs, bits, an’ conchas; instead
of a quirt, used a romal, or quirt braided to the end of the reins.
Their saddles were full stamped, with from 24 to 28 inch eagle-bill
tapaderos. Their chaparejos were made of fur or hair, either bear, angora
goat, or hair sealskin. These fellows were sure fancy an’ called
themselves buccaroos, coming from the Spanish word, vaquero.”
In
contrast, Russell noted, the cowboy "originated in Texas and ranged
north." Unlike the buckaroo, "he wasn't much for pretty; his saddle
was low horn, rimfire, or double-cinch." He identifies another of their
salient characteristics and the reason for it: "Their rope was seldom
over forty feet, for being a good deal in a brush country, they were
forced to swing a small loop. These men generally tied [hard and fast],
instead of taking their dallie-welts, or wrapping their rope around
the saddle horn. Their chaparejos were made of heavy bullhide, to protect
the leg from the brush and thorns." He goes on to note that they protected
their feet "with hog-snout tapaderos," those with no flaps. These characteristics
are still typical of cowboys, although the tapaderos are found only
in brush country. Russell seems to have preferred the flashy buckaroo
to the plainer cowboy, or at least he described the California type
more fully. His use of "lass-rope" reflects the dialect of the buckaroo.
Without doubt, however, he understood the differences he observed. {from
book: "Vaqueros, Cowboys, and Buckaroos"}
See more information about Vaqueros / Buckaroos on the Links page.
Buckaroo Hall of Fame & Heritage Museum
become a Member today
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name:______________________________________________________________
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Telephone: __________________________________________________________
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Annual Membership Fees: ___Youth
($5) Buckaroo
Hall of Fame Memberships
received after August 1st are accepted & rolled over to include
the following year. Your membership contribution will support
general operating costs of the Buckaroo Hall of Fame & Heritage
Museum. Your contribution is tax deductible. Let Carl know if
you need a tax deductible receipt. |
All Members receive:
Buckaroo Hall of Fame logo drawing (8' x 10" framable print) by cowboy artist Larry Bute.
"Three Fingered Jack"
20" x 30"
Art Print for Sale
Signature prints for sale donated by cowboy artist,
Larry Bute. $50.00 (includes shipping and handling)
All proceeds go to benefit the Buckaroo Hall of
Fame Museum.
We plan to offer more art work for fund raising in the future.
We gratefully consider offers from respected buckaroo artists.
"Buckaroo
Legends of the Great Basin" Volume 1 was introduced at the
Buckaroo Hall of Fame ceremony 09-03-11. It is a nice hard cover 8"x10",
240 page book with a dust jacket, containing 82 inductees from 1990 through
2011 with photos and history. We are taking orders for this book: it would
make a great gift. Cost is $110 (which includes S&H). NEW:
We now have available an additional book, a 40 pg. soft bound with the
2012 and 2013 inductees at $30 ea. $2 for S&H. Email
Carl to order.
"A Long Dust On The Desert" is another buckaroo book written by 2011 inductee Ed Hanks & his wife Ella, is available exclusively through the Buckaroo Hall of Fame; it is a soft cover, and is $18 (which includes S&H). It is a very nice book with (true) turn of the 20th Century buckaroo stories from Ed's exciting life as one of the early Nevada buckaroos.
©
est 1989, Winnemucca NV all rights reserved
