A stroll through the history of the National Western Stock Show
Late 1900s
through 19951970-1975
During these 25 years the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) would grow and expand in many different directions. The Trade Show would grow into the market we know today, more livestock and horse events would take place and the Yards would continue to be a focal point of the livestock show.
Realizing the needing for more space the National Western (NW) through the Western Stock Show Association (WSSA) developed its first expansion master plan in the late 1960s. The plan called for raising $2.5 million dollars to build the Hall of Education, a building designed for year around use. This building would occupy the two blocks immediately north / northeast of the Stadium Arena. The lower level would consist of livestock pens and stables with exhibit space on the second or main floor. It would have kitchens, the National Western Club, and the Beef Palace Auction Arena at the west end.
National Western Grounds in 1970
Livestock and horse shows expand
In 1975 the Paint horse sale joined the Quarter Horse sale as must attend events for horse lovers.
Beginning in the late 1960s the “invasion” of Continental breeds of cattle into the United States occurred. Fortunately, the foresight of the WSSA board and the expansion of the National Western Stock Show Grounds allowed the National Western to welcome them as they became more prevalent in the livestock industry.
In 1965 three breeds of cattle held shows at the National Western, Angus, Hereford and Shorthorn. By 1969 three more breeds were showing at the NW, Charolais, Santa Gertrudis and Galloway cattle returned to the National Western.
Beginning in the late 1960s the “invasion” of Continental breeds of cattle into the United States occurred. Fortunately, the foresight of the WSSA board and the expansion of the National Western Stock Show Grounds allowed the National Western to welcome them as they became more prevalent in the livestock industry.
In 1965 three breeds of cattle held shows at the National Western, Angus, Hereford and Shorthorn. By 1969 three more breeds were showing at the NW, Charolais, Santa Gertrudis and Galloway cattle returned to the National Western.
After a 30 plus year hiatus, in 1981, for the 75th anniversary of the stock show draft horses would be reintroduced at the National Western.
The growth of the NWSS during the 1970s and 1980s was tremendous. By the late 1980s the stock show had grown to the point the Denver Fire Department was concerned about the large crowds and ensuing congestion and threatened to put a ceiling on stock show attendance. With this as the spark in 1989 a Denver Bond issue was passed to expand the stock show.
The proceeds from the bond issue were used to expand the Hall of Education with a three-story Expo Hall addition on the east side which included the administrative offices, a small animal exhibit area on the west side and a “connecting link” between the Hall of Education and the Stadium Arena. This expansion was completed in 1991.
The bond issue also provided funds for the $13 million Events Center which opened for the 1995 stock show. Construction of the Events Center involved the tearing down of the Shambles Inn, 4696 Humboldt Street and 47thAvenue, and the Picador Café, 4701 Lafayette.
With the completion of the Events Center in 1995 each area of the National Western Stock Show, Horse Show and Rodeo now would have its own primary facility. The Coliseum became primarily rodeo, the Stadium Arena, small animal barn, and Yards primarily livestock, and the Events Center primarily equestrian.
Remember back in 1906 four breeds of cattle were shown at the first stock show, Aberdeen Angus, Galloway, Hereford, and Shorthorn cattle. Between 1970 and 1995 28 breeds of cattle were shown and/or held sales at the National Western Stock Show.
The 28 breeds present at the National Western during these 25 years were:
Beefalo
Blond d’Aquitaine
Brangus
Charolais
Chianina
Friesian
Galloway
Gelbvieh
Hereford
Hereford, polled
Hereford, horned
Highland
Limousin
Maine Anjou
Marchigiana (Marky)
Murray Grey
Pingauer
Piedmontese
Red Angus
Salers
Santa Gertrudis
Shorthorn
Simbrah
Simmental
South Devon
Tarentaise
Texas Longhorns
The breeds shown in bold were also at the 2023 National Western Stock Show.
International Center
Old programs come to an end
Society Night
Fed Beef Contest
With a decreasing number of entrants in 1986 the Fed Beef Contest held in the Yards every year since 1967 ended.
The beef carcass contest provided feedback to stock producers, comparing the quality of the animal’s appearance on the hoof to the animal’s appearance on the hook, and continued to provide an educational opportunity to the public.
Introducing New Programming
