Hoot Gibson Ranch Rodeo Letter and Envelope, 1932.
Saugus, California

Letter, and envelope, from Hoot Gibson Ranch Rodeo, signed by Arena Director and Manager Skeeter Bill Robbins to George W. Pierson, Pierson Dude Ranch, Delpiedra, Fresno County, Calif., June 20, 1932.

Text of the letter follows:

Saugus, Calif.
June 20, 1932

Pierson Dude Ranch
Mr. George W. Pierson

Dear Friend:

I have neglected writing you since our Spring Show as we have been
very busy making pictures, etc. However, I got two weeks off and
took a trip back to my home in Wyoming. Since our return I have been
working on a rodeo near Los Angeles for August during the Olympic
Games. The thing is not a sure go as yet. I will know for sure this
coming week.

How about a rodeo at your ranch for September or October? I may
find time to run up there after July 4th. I am sure with one car
­of Hoot's best bucking horses and we could get Hoot to fly up there in
his plane it would go over big for a Fall show. A good bucking
contest and calf roping would not cost a great deal. Let me know
if you think a two day show would go. I will suggest that if you
deside (sic) on a show you should set your dates and have out some small
advertising and prize lists at the Salinas Rodeo. If our August
Show goes here in L.A. I can give a show at your ranch a lot of
advertising during the show.

I would like to hear from you as soon as possible, and will run
up and see you.

Yours truly,
Signed "Skeeter Bill Robbins"
Manager Hoot Gibson Rodeos

The future Saugus Speedway was built originally as a rodeo arena in 1927 by Roy Baker, brother of shoe magnate C.H. Baker. Baker Ranch Stadium was a completely enclosed rodeo arena seating over 18,000 fans. Over the next decade, ownership of the arena would change hands three more times.

As with a majority of the American populace, Baker was hit hard financially by the Great Depression of 1929 and was forced to sell the stadium to cowboy actor Hoot Gibson in 1930. Gibson continued to hold rodeos at the stadium and drew a Hollywood crowd including famous actors such as William S. Hart, Harey Carey, Tom Mix, and John Wayne. He also used the stadium as a movie set or leased it to other companies for film making.

In 1934, Gibson sold the stadium to Paul Hill, owner of the Western Livestock Stockyards. As with Baker, the stadium brought Hill financial hardship when it was hit by the great flood of 1937. Heavy rains that year caused a river of water to flow down Soledad Canyon and filled the stadium with debris. Hill was unable to afford the cleanup, and the stadium was repossessed by the bank.

Ownership of the stadium passed to William Bonelli in 1938 and was renamed Bonelli Stadium. Bonelli continued the tradition of rodeos for a number of years, but ultimately turned the stadium into an auto race track. Auto racing was introduced in 1939.

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