ROY ROGERS AND DALE EVANS RIDE OFF TO MISSOURI

New York Times ^ | June 1, 2003 | Charlie LeDuff

[JesseHousman]

By CHARLIE LeDUFF (NYT)

VICTORVILLE, Calif., May 27 -- A small yet not insignificant piece of news occurred in April while the world's attention was turned toward Iraq. The Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum, an old-West cavalry-style fort on Highway 15 in the high Mojave Desert, picked up and moved. It has resettled in Branson, Mo., the transplanted heart of country-western life and culture.

The move was economic, said Victorville city fathers. Fewer and fewer people, it seems, are interested in the life of the ''King of the Cowboys'' or his wife, Dale Evans, known as the ''Queen of the West.'' After Mr. Rogers died in 1998 and his wife in 2001, museum attendance plummeted.

People had come to this desert outpost to inspect his gun belt, boots and the museum's prized possession and top draw -- Mr. Rogers's stuffed horse Trigger.

''It's left a big hole in the heart of Victorville,'' said Mayor Terry Caldwell, who attended the same church as the first couple of Victorville. ''There was a wholesomeness synonymous with Roy Rogers and now that the museum has gone, it marks the end of an era here.''

At one point in the 40's and 50's, Roy Rogers was every bit the celebrity Bob Hope was. Like Mr. Hope, Mr. Rogers grew up in Ohio. His name was Leonard Slye and he dropped out of high school, making his way to California and the silver screen. His records topped the charts and his image appeared on 2.5 billion boxes of Post cereal.

The self-taught cowboy was known for his his patriotism. While Mr. Rogers made movies in World War II, he sold millions of dollars in war bonds and made a U.S.O. tour with Trigger. He also made a tour of Vietnam.

Sadly, celebrity fades. The Rogers generation is passing on and the new immigrants who have settled in California have little interest in these icons of old.

''Roy Rogers? He doesn't mean anything,'' said Rosalina Sondoval-Marin, who was having a beer in the El Chubasco bar on historic Route 66. ''There's a revolution going on and it don't include no Roy Rogers or Bob Hope.''

Perhaps. But for those who still care about the King of the Cowboys, the new Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum and Happy Trails Theater is scheduled to open in Branson in late June. It is behind Yakov Smirnoff's theater, Mr. Smirnoff being that Russian-born cold war comedian whose contributions to the country-western way of life are not entirely apparent.

Copyright 2002 The New York Times Company

[JesseHousman]

''There's a revolution going on and it don't include no Roy Rogers or Bob Hope.''Take your revolution back south of the border....and stay there!

What heroes and heroines do today's youth have, besides Madonna, Britney, Elton, Kobe, and some other sub-human species?

[JesseHousman]

I had to pay $2.95, but it was worth it.

[ppaul]

"He doesn't mean anything," said Rosalina Sondoval-Marin, who was having a beer in the El Chubasco bar on historic Route 66.

So this is progress, eh?
Pity our children.

[Hatteras]

Roy Rogers, Roy Rogers.... Oh, yeah, he opened up a western style burger joint, didn't he? The Double-R Bar Burger....

...with original Pappy Parker's fried chicken? That rings a bell though my memories a little vague...

[Bluntpoint]

Roy Rogers had his horse stuffed and mounted for display.

Oh for the good ole days when stuffing your mount had a different meaning!!!

[homeschool mama]

Victorville, while it may have been home to Rogers/Evans, isn't exactly the best place for high museum traffic. Moving the museum to Branson, Missouri is a good idea, imo.

[JesseHousman]

At least it's out of the Peoples Republic of California.

[sailor4321]

Anybody know where the Cisco Kid museum is located?

[yankeedame]

''There's a revolution going on and it don't include no Roy Rogers or Bob Hope.''

Or correct English it would seem.
(Why is it that people who speak poorly are somehow considered more worthwhile than someone who speaks correct English?)

[mountaineer]

''Roy Rogers? He doesn't mean anything,'' said Rosalina Sondoval-Marin, who - having just cashed her welfare check and bought new tires for her Escalade - was having a beer in the El Chubasco bar on historic Route 66. ''There's a revolution going on and it don't include no Roy Rogers or Bob Hope.''

Power to the people, Rosalina, and happy trails to you!

[Redbob]

My wife and I drove to California to see the museum several years ago while on a business trip to Phoenix.

It was well worth the trip.

I'm disappointed to see that it moved, but perhaps in Branson there'll be an old enough crowd to support it.

Sad to say...

[homeschool mama]

**At least it's out of the Peoples Republic of California.**

..and out of reach of the millions of conservatives who live in California.

[TexasRepublic]

''Roy Rogers? He doesn't mean anything,'' said Rosalina Sondoval-Marin, who was having a beer in the El Chubasco bar on historic Route 66. ''There's a revolution going on and it don't include no Roy Rogers or Bob Hope.''

Is there any doubt what illegal Mexican immigration portends for this country? By her admission, there is a revolution going on. A fifth-column that cares nothing for the America we have always known and loved. Welcome to Aztlan.

[GOP_1900AD]

Let me rephrase one thing... fewer and fewer people IN CALIFORNIA are interested in the cowboy culture. This is personally sad for me. Though raised in the city, my grandfather was a cattleman (not here, but elsewhere) and I always aligned myself with the cowboy culture from early childhood. During the 1970s you would still see a small but noticeable number of boots and hats being worn here (Bay Area suburbs) but now it would really make one stand out.

[ErnBatavia]

Inheritance "Death Tax" taxes were the root of the downfall...tons of stuff was sold off before the move.

[BRO68]

Happy trails to you, until we meet again.
Happy trails to you, keep smilin' until then.
Who cares about the clouds when we're together?
Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather.
Happy trails to you, 'till we meet again.

Some trails are happy ones,
Others are blue.
It's the way you ride the trail that counts,
Here's a happy one for you.

Happy trails to you, until we meet again.
Happy trails to you, keep smilin' until then.
Who cares about the clouds when we're together?
Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather.

Happy trails to you, it's great to say "hello".
And to share with you the trail we've come to know.
It started on the day that we met Jesus,
He came into our hearts and then he freed us.
For a life that's true, a happy trail to you.

Happy trails to you, 'till we meet again.

[BRO68]

Roy Rogers Riders Club Rules:

1. Be neat and clean.
2. Be courteous and polite.
3. Always obey your parents.
4. Protect the weak and help them.
5. Be brave but never take chances.
6. Study hard and learn all you can.
7. Be kind to animals and take care of them.
8. Eat all your food and never waste any.
9. Love God and go to Sunday school regularly.
10. Always respect our flag and our country.

[homeschool mama]

**During the 1970s you would still see a small but noticeable number of boots and hats being worn here (Bay Area suburbs) but now it would really make one stand out. **

It's a typical sight in Elk Grove. Thankfully. :o)

[mlmr]

I love RR and DE and was a madly passionate fan at age 4-8. They would charm another generation if their reruns were on the air again like the Beave's and others... Perhaps some family oriented channel will pick them up,

[Young Werther]

For a kid from Nu Joisy I was introduced to the "Old West" when we would go to Madison Square Garden for the Rodeo each fall. I collected Roy and Dale's memorabilia at the show. Other 'Pokes included Gene Autry and Hopalong Cassidy!

I remember one show starring Roy, Dale and Nellie Belle driven by Pat Butram! Those were the days my friends!