1905 Sterling Art Nouveau Polo Trophy American Royal Kerr & Co
1905 Sterling Art Nouveau Polo Trophy American Royal Kerr & Co
Cady & Olmstead Jewelry Co., located in downtown Kansas City, MO, was founded by jewelers Lucius Cady and Chaney Olmstead in 1880. Their store provided jewelry, watches and service.
American Royal: Following the Civil War and with the advent of the railroads, Kansas City became a leading place for the cattle herders to gather. Stockyards and packing houses became big business. In order to promote various breeds of cattle and to try and better their quality, livestock shows were held. In October 1899, a National Hereford Show was held at the Kansas City Stockyards. The next year, Shorthorn cattle were included in the show. On January 1, 1901, an editorial "Call It the American Royal" was written by
Walter Neff, editor of an agricultural newspaper, the Drovers Telegram. Neffwrote the editorial after hearing Dean C. F. Curtiss of Iowa State College say that he thought that the livestock at Kansas City's show was better than livestock he saw at the British Agricultural Royal in England. The new name was given to the 1901 show. Also added that year were other breeds of cattle, plus sheep, swine, poultry and draft horses. For the first time, in 1905 a horse show was part of the American Royal. It was in a tent in the stockyards at night. Over the next several years, the Royal was held in various places including Convention Hall, Electric Park, and the stockyards. In 1922, a building was constructed with money raised by contributions. It burned in February 1925 but was rebuilt and was ready by the fall of 1925.
Arena in 1974, much of the show was moved there and rodeo activities were added. Along with the Horse Shows which include Quarter Horses, Arabian/Morgans, a 4-H Horse Show, Hunter/Jumpers, and Saddle Horses, and Livestock Show, there is an American Royal parade through downtown Kansas City and the coronation of a queen elected from the Future Farmers of America
State Sweethearts. The American Royal is supported by a Board of Governors of almost 1000 members, the BOTARs (Belles of the American Royal) the Saddle and Sirloin Club and many volunteers.