Founded in 1930 jointly with the Texas Cowboy Reunion, the Texas Cowboy Reunion Oldtimers' Association sought to hand down to posterity the customs and traditions of early cattle people who lived in dugouts and fought drouths, die-outs, heat, and freeze-ups while raising the longhorns that finally brought settlement to the Southwest. In 1930, 335 men here had been cowboys prior to 1895. Besides regular cowmen, early members included musician Paul Whiteman, editor Amon Carter, Ranger Captain Tom Hickman, and Will Rogers, an ex-cowhand who became an internationally famous entertainer and columnist. Colonel R.L. Penick was the first president. In 1932, the donation of a bull began a building fund for the nearby bunkhouse and roundup hall, and the SMS Ranch donated the site. The bunkhouse interior and exterior feature the ranch brands of many members. An Oldtimers' Reunion and Rodeo, held annually for three days including July 4th, features chuckwagon meals, square dancing, and oldtimers' memories and songs. The town celebrates with a cowboy parade, and thousands come to see what is called the World's Largest Amateur Cowboy Show, with actual cowhands performing. These oldtimers represent the end of the open range and the beginning of the era of barbed wire, and they opened Texas' last frontier.