S. Reed Dayton

Every story has a beginning, and the beginning of the current location of the Cokeville rodeo grounds starts with a trio of men: Reed Dayton, Bill Buckley and Herman A. Teichert. Reed was the Bishop of the Cokeville Ward (the local congregation) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was concerned about the availability of the young people having something fun to do and something to look forward to. The rodeo seemed to fit the bill. 

The rodeo was originally held a half a mile north of town just off of Highway 30. In 1953 Minerva Teichert wrote a letter to her daughter, Laurie, telling about the purchase of the new rodeo grounds. She writes, “We are to have a 24th Celebration. Reed, Bill Buckley and dad [Herman Teichert] bought the lots east of the Stock Yards for a Rodeo ground. Every body helped build a dandy corral and arena. It has become a great Institution in Cokeville.” At the time, there were no stands, so everyone would park their cars around the perimeter of the fence, facing the arena to watch the rodeo. Because they had purchased the grounds, Reed, Bill and Herman had reserved parking spaces. Reed helped the rodeo by donating bucking stock to be used by the cowboys.

As the Bishop, Reed was also concerned about raising money for a new chapel to be built in Cokeville. The rodeo became a way to do that. In the early 1950’s, the Bishop and the Ward helped the community and surrounding areas celebrate Pioneer Day (the day the Latter-day Saint pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847). By combining the rodeo with a barbecue dinner, foot races and square dancing, the ward members were able to use these events as a way to raise funds for their new church building. 

Reed was released as the Bishop in 1956, but he continued to help with the rodeo and other Pioneer Day celebration activities. In 1961 a new chapel was dedicated in Cokeville. In the 1980’s the Church donated the rodeo grounds to the Cokeville Stock and Saddle Club.

SUBMITTED BY CHRISTINE TEICHERT

*I’m sure that so many of you have your own stories and memories of Reed Dayton and the Cokeville Pioneer Day Celebration. We would love for you to share them in the comments below… There is so much more of Reed’s story that I know remains untold.