The project was inspired by a conversation with PV Staff member, Mrs. Sabrina Francis and her great uncle who help started the Trail Ride at tradition Prairie View. Mrs. Francis mentioned about doing some genealogical research and wanting to honor her family legacy here at Prairie View and so, I wanted to highlight a fellow library staff member's research.
Evelyn Davis, Processing Archivist, has a philosophy for preserving community stories and the traditions at Prairie View deserve to be told. Ms. Davis wants to preserve the historical narrative since paper document has not been documented or has been lost, so we need the verbal expression of these stories for generations to come.
The purpose of the Prairie View Trail Riders Association shall be provide It means of friendly association for agricultural minded people, both active and retired; and to promote agriculture interests, and young Americans, and to perpetuate those principles which have come to be regarded as the ideals and traditions of the Western World; And to participate in such undertakings as may be deemed to make for the happiness, well-being, and usefulness of the membership, and for the progress of the association. Founded in 1957, the PVTRA ss a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote agriculture interest in young Americans and foster the continued preservation of Western Heritage and Culture.
In 1958, the Prairie View Trail made its first official ride from Prairie View, TX to join in with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. This 65-mile ride was made with one wagon and seven riders.
Since 1957, the Prairie View Trail ride has accomplished a number of achievements. The Southwest trail, the Northeast Trail and the Circle A Trail are in existence today because of the sponsorship of the Prairie View Trail. Myrtis Dightman was the first Black Cowboy to reach the national finals in a PRCA Rodeo; Nat Allen and Paul Cleveland participated in the Open Paint Horse Show at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. All of this was made possible through their association with the Prairie View Trail. The organization was instrumental in providing that blacks and whites could ride the trail together without major racial problems. Special assistance by City of Houston. The Police Department and the National Guards made this a reality as we assembled in Memorial Park with all the other riders.
The Collections includes adminstrative files, mixed media materials, and clothing donations from Mr. James Frances.
Did you attend the Prairie View Trail Riding Event? Are you a descendant of the founder(s) of the Prairie View Trail Riders Group?
The Special Collections and Archives Department wants to hear your story. We are conducting interviews from October 2023 to May 2024 for anyone available and interested in sharing their story. Camera shy? We accept donations to add to the existing Prairie View Trail Riders Collection.
Please contact the SCAD department at Prairie View A&M University at 936-261-1508 or email evdavis@pvamu.edu.
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