ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Season premier attracts large gathering to North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame

The North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame hosted its annual grand opening by celebrating with supporters and honored guests.

COWBOY2.jpg
A night of cowboys, music and great food at the 2021 season premier at the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame in Medora on May 10. From left to right: Gene Veeder, Forrie J. Smith and Jessie Veeder. (Photo courtesy of Janel Johnson Photography)

Jimmy Tart said it best when he exclaimed, “where the leather is scarred, there is a great story to tell," and great stories were certainly shared with those in attendance at the 2021 season premier at the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame in Medora on May 10.

The event featured the special unveiling of new museum displays and the formal recognition of the 2021 class of inductees into the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame.

The inductees are selected annually by the Trustees of the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, and comprise rotating categories of Leaders of Rodeo and Ranching; Pre-1940s Rodeo; Modern-Day Rodeo; Pre-1940s Ranching; Modern-Day Ranching; Ranch; Western Arts & Entertainment; Great Westerner; Cowboy Long Rider; Rodeo Producer and Livestock; Special Achievement; and Legacy divisions.

Nominees must be at least 50 years old or deceased to be considered for induction.

The symphony of orange and purple hues alighted by the stars high above the badlands painted a backdrop tapestry befitting such an occasion, as James “Mac” Uhlman, of McKenzie County; Steve Brooks, of Slope County; Dale Carlson, of Ward County; Phil Haugen, of McKenzie County; Levi Wisness, of McKenzie County; and Don Short, of Billings County, were inducted into the sacred hall of North Dakota’s treasured cowboys.

ADVERTISEMENT

The ceremony began with attendees and fans of the hit television series Yellowstone honored with a few moments of deep reflection by famed actor Forrie J. Smith. Smith shared some stories about western culture and perseverance he’s gained over a lifetime of handling horses in both his personal life and on movie sets across the country. Smith spoke about his experiences on the set of Yellowstone, the show based on a ranching family in Montana who faces off against others encroaching on their land, and provided comedic entertainment for the near standing room only crowd.

Smith, who is best known for his work on Hell or High Water, 2 Guns and Rambo III, assisted in the honoring of the 2020 North Dakota High School Rodeo champions and pageant winners — providing each with custom award certificates courtesy of the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame’s board of directors.

COWBOY3.jpg
The 2020 North Dakota High School Rodeo champions and pageant winners. (Photo courtesy of Janel Johnson Photography)

COWBOY1.jpg
2020 North Dakota High School Rodeo champions and pageant winners were honored by the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame in a ceremony on May 10. (Photo courtesy of Janel Johnson Photography)

Following the presentation a meal was provided at the Rough Riders Hotel & Conference Center, whose newly renovated 76-room historic inn was the site of a very special guest in its past when former President Theodore Roosevelt stayed there during his time in the Badlands.

Amid the rustic elegance, modern luxury and high-tech convenience, guests enjoyed a meal befitting western life as hamburgers, beans and coleslaw were on the menu in Theodore's Dining Room. Musical entertainment was provided by local country and folk music standouts Gene Veeder and Jessie Veeder, whose medley of country tunes provided the ambiance.

Attendees were also honored with a private tour of the newly renovated Hall of Honorees, at no charge, and witnessed the tremendous undertaking made to update the facilities in 2020 for the grand opening this month.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 15,000 square feet of facility space that encompasses the museum and Hall of Fame campus tells the exciting story of the great northern plains horse culture, its unique way of life, and honors those pioneers of North Dakota from the very beginning through the modern rodeo cowboys and cowgirls.

From the Native Americans who called the lands home to the ranching and rodeo culture still alive and well today, the displays come alive with presentations and information that continues to amaze visitors. A newly produced video highlighting the history of the area played on a loop and provides visitors with a melding of both entertainment and historical information that made even the youngest of visitors watch in awe.

The centerpiece of the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame has been, and always will be, its Hall of Honorees. This dedicated area of the facility honors the men, women, animals and events that have made the extraordinary contributions to the horse culture and western lifestyle of North Dakota and the Great Plains.

For more information about the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, or to attend the National Day of the Cowboy Celebration on Saturday, July 24, visit northdakotacowboy.com.

James B. Miller, Jr. is the Editor of The Dickinson Press in Dickinson, North Dakota. He strives to bring community-driven, professional and hyper-local focused news coverage of southwest North Dakota.

ADVERTISEMENT

What To Read Next
Get Local

ADVERTISEMENT