When Roy Rogers was alive and well, he was a cultural icon. He has a museum dedicated to his life and work, which attracted more than 220,000 visitors per year at its peak. This time around, however, the hype has faded away. What happened, and why did Rogers’ son allow it to happen, is a question that must be answered.
Why The Roy Rogers Museum Had To Be Closed Forever
Movie Legend
Rogers, admittedly, has earned his place in cinematic history. And, given his newfound fame, you can bet his Branson, Missouri, the museum will be a major draw. However, Rogers was less well-known. He was born Leonard Slye in 1911, just a few short years before the Great Depression struck the United States. As a child, the future star was taught to ride the family horse and square dance and yodel by experts. These skills came in handy when the film industry took notice of him.
Movie Legend
Shy Performer
After his sister Mary recommended him for the Midnight Frolic radio show, the 19-year-old Rogers auditioned. At the time, he was a shy young man, but he knew he had the ability to succeed. Consequently, he became a member of the Rocky Mountaineers, a country band. Bob Nolan and Tim Spencer were Rocky Mountaineers at the beginning of their careers.
Shy Performer
Sons Of The Pioneers
Formed the Pioneer Trio in 1933; it later changed its name to Sons of the Pioneers. As radio became more popular, the Sons of the Pioneers grew into a huge band. Some of their songs, like “Cool Water” and “Tumbling Tumbleweeds,” are still well-remembered today. Maintaining the Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum as a significant and free resource would seem to be sufficient.
Sons Of The Pioneers
Gene Autry
And Rogers will be recognized as a legend in television Westerns, too. Aside from Gene Autry, he was the most successful singing cowboy of the era, but over time he developed into a major rival. When Roy Rogers’ popularity grew, his stage name was changed from Leonard Slye to Roy Rogers.
Gene Autry
He Had Trigger
Trigger, Rogers’ horse sidekick, played a crucial role in the actor’s success. Golden Cloud, the horse that played Robin Hood in the 1938 film The Adventures of Robin Hood, was one of the horses Rogers was given the opportunity to ride when he began his film career. In honor of his speed and intelligence, the actor renamed the dog Trigger.
He Had Trigger
About Trigger
As per Rogers and those close to him, the trigger was incredibly clever and simple to think up. On his hind legs he appeared to be able to sit in a chair, wrap a scarf around himself, and even sign his name with an X. Aside from the actor, Trigger was the star of the show; as his star rose, so did Rogers’s. For this reason, a dedicated equine room was included in Rogers’ museum.
About Trigger
His Marriage
Rogers had a few marriages away from the stage at the height of his fame. In 1933, he married Lucile Ascolese, a fan, for the first time. Although the marriage did not last, the couple divorced in 1936. When Rogers wed Grace Arline Wilkins in the same year, the couple adopted a baby boy. Grace, despite having two other daughters, died after giving birth to the couple’s third child due to complications.
His Marriage
Dale Evans
Rogers’ Home in Oklahoma co-star Dale Evans was his third partner. There is a plaque in the museum dedicated to her, and her name appears on the tag. Evans had a child from a previous relationship, but as an actress, she had to hide the fact that she was an unmarried mother. According to 20th Century Fox, Tommy was her younger brother.
Dale Evans
Their First Child
The two would marry on New Year’s Eve 1947, and Rogers would turn Evans into a good wife. The couple tied the knot at the ranch where the film Home in Oklahoma was filmed as a tribute to their first date, which took place there. After that, they had a daughter, Robin Elizabeth, who died at the age of two from complications related to Down syndrome. Angel Unaware, a novel written by Evans in the child’s name, was later published.
Their First Child
Dale Rogers Training Center
Reactions to the death of their daughter by Evans and Rogers spurred them into action to change public attitudes toward people with disabilities. The Dale Rogers Training Center, a council for children with developmental disabilities, was renamed in honor of Evans. A total of four more children were raised by Rogers and Evans after that.
Dale Rogers Training Center
More Tragedy For Rogers
A new setback was in store for Rogers with each passing day, however. Debbie, a 12-year-old Korean War orphan raised by Rogers and Evans, perished in a bus accident. He died in a military hospital in 1947 after serving in the army as an adopted brother, Sandy.
More Tragedy For Rogers
His Career Went On
There have been numerous products based on Rogers’ life and career, including toys, books, and even a Dell Comics comic book series. Like her husband, Evans became an international star after starring in almost 30 of his movies. In 1940, Rogers bought the rights to use his likeness and made a fortune.
His Career Went On
New Popular Show
Since its debut on television in 1951, The Roy Rogers Show has been one of the most popular television shows of all time. The film featured Pat Brady as a sidekick. After six seasons and a total of 100 episodes, the show ended in June 1957. You’d think that the series’ popularity would be enough to keep the museum open, but it’s not.
New Popular Show
Trigger Died
Trigger, on the other hand, was killed in 1967. This is where Trigger’s mounted body was placed when the museum was opened by Roy and Dale Rogers. However, in 1976, the museum was relocated to Victorville, California, and its inhabitants relocated as well.
Trigger Died
Bullet The Wonder Dog
Among the exhibits at the museum were the taxidermied bones of both Bullet the Wonder Dog and Evans’ horse Buttermilk. Additionally, the stunt horse Trigger Junior, who was used as a backup for the original Trigger, was included. It was difficult to keep the animal relics in good condition because they needed to be washed and their glass eyes cleaned on a regular basis, among other things.
Bullet The Wonder Dog
They Got Cancelled
The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Show preceded The Roy Rogers Show, but the latter was immediately cancelled after only three months due to low ratings. It wasn’t over yet for Rogers, though. Additionally, he appeared on shows like Wonder Woman and The Muppet Show.
They Got Cancelled
Hot Shoppes Became Roy Rogers
In 1968, Rogers partnered with Marriott to rebrand the company’s Hot Shoppes restaurants by lending his name to the restaurants. Consequently, Hot Shoppes became Roy Rogers Restaurants. By agreeing to allow the company to use his name, Rogers was compensated, as well as any appearances he made at their restaurants.
Hot SHoppes Became Roy Rogers
Dusty And His Childhood
The interactions between Rogers and his children appeared to be at the center of Rogers’ interests, despite the importance of Rogers’ corporate dealings Dusty, the stage name of Roy Rogers Jr., recalled his childhood in a 1987 interview with People magazine. It was a two-way conversation between Dusty’s mom and aunt.
Dusty And His Childhood
Spend Time With Your Kids
Rogers shared his experiences as a father with people, “Dusty and Sandy and I used to go out for a couple of weeks at a time and search and fish and live off the farm.” “It’s far simpler for kids to grow up if you spend time teaching them right from wrong while they’re young. And it proves your love for them.”
Spend Time With Your Kids
He Didn’t Want Him To Get Into Movies
After Dusty graduated from high school and decided to pursue a career in film, he and his father had a minor falling out. As far as I can tell, Rogers didn’t want him to follow in his footsteps; instead, he encouraged him to find a “nice career.” Dusty told People, “I got angry and left town with friends.” Fortunately, the two reconciled in the end.
He Didn’t Want Him To Get Into Movies
He Never Knew Him
“I used to think what in the world was so thrilling about this guy when I was a kid,” Dusty said. “Then I started looking through all the clippings, fan letters, and thousands of photos of all he’s accomplished, even visits to children’s hospitals. It’s almost unfathomable. This is the guy I’d lived my whole life with but had never really gotten to know.”
He Never Knew Him
Hollywood Walk Of Fame
Through 1988, Rogers had been recognized for his work with numerous awards. For his work on television, radio, and in the movies, he already had three stars on the Walk of Fame. Oklahoma’s Western Performers Hall of Fame, which is housed at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, inducted him and Evans into its ranks. As a result of this, in 1995, he became a Son of the Pioneer.
Hollywood Walk Of Fame
Country Music Hall of Fame
The Country Music Hall of Fame inducted Rogers twice: once as a member of the Sons of the Pioneers and once as a solo artist. Since it was established, he has been the only recipient. Isn’t that just it? Two years later, he was honored with the Golden Boot Award and the Golden Boot Founder’s Award.
Country Music Hall Of Fame
His End
Even so, time eventually caught up with the groundbreaking actor. Congestive heart failure claimed Rogers’ life in 1998. He had such an impact on American pop culture that President Clinton paid him a personal visit. “Today, there will be a lot of sad and grateful Americans, particularly of my generation,” Clinton said.
His End
His Legacy Goes On
As a result of Rogers’ long life, he left behind 15 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren, in addition to his six living children and wife. We had Roy Rogers Jr., Linda Lou Johnson, Cheryl Barnett, Dodie Sailors, Tom Fox and Marion Swift. The museum’s curator at the time was Roy Rogers Jr.
His Legacy Goes On
His Museum
The museum was also mentioned in the New York Times obituary of Rogers. “Mr. Rogers will often attend the museum and converse with visitors,” according to the piece. “He kept on wearing his white Stetson, gabardine shirts, and silver-and-leather belts. Although his knees ached and he might have been more at home in trainers, he still wore his pointy boots with high heels.”
His Museum
His Wife Followed Him
Evans, who had turned 88 just a few months before her husband, passed away in 2001. Her work and her collaboration with Rogers were mentioned in her obituaries, as were her achievements. When it comes to Roy Rogers’ theme song, “Happy Trails to You,” she wrote the lyrics just 40 minutes before the show aired.
His Wife Followed Him
The Museum Was Moved
A memorial to Rogers and Evans was set up in the museum for a few years after their deaths. However, it moved to Branson, Missouri, in 2003, from Victorville, California, where it had previously been situated. There was a financial consideration in play. A heavy tax was levied on the Rogers house after Evans’ death, requiring additional funds to maintain the museum. It appears that a more “touristy” location was required.
The Museum Was Moved
Too Much Competition
In the end, things didn’t go as planned. Even though the museum was moved to Branson in Missouri, it did not receive nearly as many visitors as the family had hoped it would. There was a lot of competition from other tourist attractions in Branson, and there wasn’t as much of a nostalgic feel as there was in Apple Valley.
Too Much Competition
A Wonderful Ride
Because of this, in 2009, Roy Rogers Jr. penned a letter to museum visitors. “It is you, the supporters, and our Board of Directors who have supported our family museum running for over 42 years. It’s been a fantastic ride,” he wrote. “After millions of visits and endless tales about what Roy and Dale did to you, the Board of Directors has decided to shutter the museum at the end of 2009.”
A Wonderful Ride
Not An Easy Decision
“This was not a straightforward choice to make. As you would expect, we’ve all dealt with a variety of emotional and financial issues,” Rogers Jr.said. “The move to shutter the Museum came after two years of consistent attendance. A number of variables influenced our decision.”
Not An Easy Decision
For Closure
There was also an explanation given by Rogers Jr. for the closure. “For one thing, the economy; people are just not moving as often. Dad’s followers are becoming older and worried about their retirement savings. In this current economy, everybody is worried for their future,” he added. “Second, with our high budgetary commitments, we cannot afford to incur debt to hold the doors open.”
For Closure
What Dad Would Have Wanted
What his father would have wanted Rogers Jr. to do has been broached by the younger Rogers. “My father always said, ‘If the museum is costing you money, liquidate it and carry on.’ Myself and my family have worked for over 15 years to keep the museum and collection together, so it is impossible to imagine that it will be gone soon,” he said.
What Dad Would Have Wanted
His Letter
Rogers Jr. ended his letter by stating, “Please hold us in your thoughts and prayers. Remember, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans will live on in our hearts and minds, and their films will begin to ride through the silver screen. The warm feeling you’ve always had when you think of Roy and Dale will always return.”
His Letter
Trigger Auction
The museum’s valuable artifacts were auctioned off in July of that year. Trigger’s taxidermied remains a popular topic of conversation. RFD-TV eventually purchased the preserved pet and Bullet, the Wonder Dog. In comparison, Bullet sold for $35,000, and Trigger sold for a whopping $266,000
Trigger Auction
Rogers For The Next Generation
As a result of its acquisitions, RFD-TV director Patrick Gottsch spoke with AP about the company’s plans. Films starring Roy Rogers will be shown on the channel, with Rogers Jr. hosting and Trigger and Bullet in the background. Gottsch said, “The aim is to bring Roy Rogers to a whole new generation of kids.”
Rogers For The Next Generation
From The Fans
Fans of Roy Rogers were also grateful to Gottsch for his efforts to preserve the horse after the museum closed its doors. “Over the last 24 hours, I’ve sent too many thank you address, such beautiful letters stating, ‘Thank you for saving Trigger,’” Gottsch said to the Associated Press.
From The Fans
Nellybelle Auction
A number of other Roy Rogers-related items have sold for large sums of money. Nellybelle, a jeep owned by Pat Brady’s character, appeared on the Roy Rogers Show. As a horse trainer and Rogers fan, Pam Weidel shelled out $116,000 to acquire the original Nellybelle.
Nellybelle Auction
Happy Auction
In spite of the fact that the museum had to close, the sale appeared to be a joyful occasion. Auctioneer Cathy Elkies said that the event was “the most lively, dramatic, and nostalgic” she had ever witnessed. “Happy Trails” is said to have been sung by the crowd at the end. It’s safe to say Rogers and Evans would have agreed.
Happy Auction