End Of An Era

[Bert Man]

I recently found out, to my dismay, that The Roy Rogers Museum in Branson, MO, has closed it's doors forever. The contents of the museum were auctioned off for several times their estimated value. It seems that Roy told his son that if the museum ever opertates at a loss that he should close it and sell all of the exhibits. He complied.

It was reported that the mount of Roy's beloved horse, Trigger, sold for $266,500 and his saddle and bridle brought $386,500. Trigger was bred on a farm co-owned by Bing Crosby and Roy bought him on time payments for $2,500. Roy and Trigger made 188 movies together and won an Oscar in 1953 for Son of Paleface.

Those of us who were kids of the 1940's-1950's were born at the right time. We were able to grow up with with great Saturday Heroes like Roy. Even if we never met them, in their own way, they taught us patriotism and honor, right from wrong, and respect for each other and the animals that share this earth with us. We learned how to suffer through our disappoinments and failures and to work through them.

Sadly, the likes of Roy and Dale, Gene and Hoppy, the Lone Ranger and Tonto, Sky King and Superman and all of our great role models may never pass this way again but we can treasure the memory of these people who touched our young lives and made them better.

Happy Trails guys and gals.

 

[CA357]

In my younger days, I lived in Apple Valley, CA. Roy and Dale and their son Dusty lived nearby. IIRC, the museum was in Victorville, CA at that time and I was privileged to visit. I still have some snapshots somewhere.

Dusty was a contractor and Roy & Dale were long retired back then. (around '80-'81 or so)

 

[A10]

That is sad, but at least their son carried out their wishes. I think just the fact that the museum started losing money tells a lot about our times...

 

[rojodiablo]

The Lone Ranger and Tonto rode into town on a very hot afternoon. The ranger told Tonto he was going into the bar to get them a couple beers, and water for the horses. Silver was looking pretty bad, so the Lone Ranger told Tonto to create some wind for the horse while he went for the water.
A minute later, waiting at the bar, and a man walked in: "Mister, is that your beautiful horse outside?"
"Why yes, is there something wrong??!!"
"Nope. Just wanted to tell you you left your injun running."

 

[feralmerril]

The first museum was in apple valley, about 8 miles east of victorville. Then it moved to victorville and from there to branson I guess. I was to both a few times. Roy also once owned a nice little ranch west of palmdale near a small village, lake hughs.
Jay silverheels, "Tonto" lived east of palmdale. Also Jack palance and chuck conners and noah berry lived in the area around tehatchipi to the north. Somewhere I might have a picture of jack palance with my GF years ago. Gene autrys melody ranch was near newhall south of palmdale. I guess it would follow that many stayed in the area to work in the studios.

 

[brucev]

Sorry to read this post. Regret that the museum has failed. Glad that RR wishes were respected. Sometimes this is not the case. Sincerely. brucev.

 

[jed]

Roy Rogers

He was certainly my hero. I couldn't wait for Saturday to come to watch on our Black and White TV.

jed

 

[LVSteve]

I feel your pain. A few years ago the Hilton closed my favourite place in Las Vegas, the Star Trek Experience. For that act I vowed that if the hotel goes up in flames I would not whizz on it to help. They auctioned off all the bits and pieces including the wonderful spaceship models. Mind you, when they showed up in a newspaper article it looked like they had been taken down by the removal firm Chuckit and Bounce.