In and Around the Arena

Explore the history of the Fortuna Rodeo from its origins in 1921 up to the present day with this intriguing history packed with photographs and lore of Humboldt County, California. The rodeo continues as a mainstay of Fortuna, with the 2020 event being the first to be canceled since the end of World War II. In addition to the rodeo itself, this book paints a portrait of the history and growth of a small California town over the past century. Hundreds of photographs from the collections of community members, local museums, universities, and the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum illustrate the text. Among the many never-before-published images is a photograph from the collection of the Rodoni family showing the 1961 Fortuna Rodeo's salute to "old cowboys" who had ridden in the rodeos of the 1920s. The book also features images created by Fortuna photographer Rudy Gillard, a rodeo board member and official photographer of the Fortuna Rodeo, between 1955 and 1981. Dedicated to the Fortuna Rodeo board and to all who have participated in the Fortuna Rodeo, you'll find In and Around the Arena a fascinating read.