VIEWPOINTS

Cowboys' Christmas Ball is a West Texas tradition

John Compere
Baird

“Way out in Western Texas, where the Clear Fork's waters flow'
Where the cattle are 'a-browzin',' and the Spanish ponies grow;
…...
“Oh...I sha'n't forget yer, and I'll oftentimes recall,
That lively gaited sworray - “The Cowboys' Christmas Ball.”

- from “Ranch Verses” (Larry Chittenden, Knickerbocker Press, New York, 1893)

The original Texas Cowboys' Christmas Ball was held in 1885 at Anson to honor area cowboys, their ladies and families. This 133-year-old winter holiday celebration includes traditional western music, the poem, dancing, listening, refreshments and fellowship. The 84th consecutive annual historical re-enactment will be December 14-16. It is a festive family event always open to the public and a bucket-list must for western history lovers.

The 1941 mural in the Anson Post Office by Jenne Magafan called "Cowboy Dance" was inspired by the Cowboys' Christmas Ball. The jug inserted into the image was known to stir up controversy in the town when it was unveiled. 4/19/11

Anson's historic Pioneer Hall has been home to the ball since its 1940 completion. On permanent display are replicas of the old Morning Star Hotel where the original ball was held and the Larry Chittenden ranch home. Both received area coverage “Anson Festival Hailed As A Success; Relics of Interest Displayed” (Abilene Reporter-News, May 31, 1936). Other early publicity included “Ranch Folk Gather For Cowboys' Christmas Ball” (Abilene Reporter-News, Dec. 20, 1937).

The Anson ball is an official state historic event recognized by the Texas Historical Commission to promote its historical preservation and celebrate its history. Ball rules from 1885 are respected and remain in effect. Ladies are required to wear dresses on the dance floor. Gentlemen must check in hats, spurs and guns. No drinking, smoking, spitting, fighting, cussing, shooting or riding horses is allowed in the hall.

The ball was memorialized by poet-ranchman Larry Chittenden with his legendary poem “The Cowboys' Christmas Ball." The poem with music was later published in the John Lomax classic compilation Cowboy Songs & Other Frontier Ballads (Macmillan Company, 1910) and Lomax attended the 1939 Ball. It was first performed at the 1946 ball by cowboy folklorist Gordon Graham.

The ball is portrayed in the large 1930s mural at the Anson Post Office and the 1930 watercolor painting by Maxine Walker Perini at The Grace Museum in Abilene. Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Edna Ferber recognized the “Cowboy Christmas Ball at Anson in Jones County” in her memorable novel "Giant."

There is also a permanent historical exhibit of the ball and Hall in the Southwest Collections Library at Texas Tech University in Lubbock.

The preeminent history of the ball, its origin and continuation has been written by Dr. Paul H. Carson, emeritus professor of history at Texas Tech University. It is a classic, impeccably researched, historically accurate and thoroughly documented ("Dancin' in Anson – A History of the Texas Cowboys' Christmas Ball," Texas Tech University Press, 2014, www.ttupress.org).

The ball has been featured in prominent publications, including Texas Highways, Authentic Texas, Texas Coop Power, Western Horseman, American Cowboy and True West. It has been filmed for television episodes on Shane McAuliffe's "The Texas Bucket List " (ABC) and Red Steagall's "Somewhere West of Wall Street (RFD)." 

The ball is the acknowledged genesis for Cowboy Christmas concerts throughout the country performed by America's No. 1 cowboy singerm Michael Martin Murphey and his Rio Grande Band. They have highlighted the ball one night for the past 22 years (www.michaelmartinmurphey.com). 

2017 SCHEDULE: 

  • Thursday, December 14 – Harmony Creek Cowboys, $15 adults, $10 ages 13-18 & 65+ (square dance exhibition).
  • Friday, December 15 – Jody Nix & The Texas Cowboys, $20 adults, $15 ages 13-18 & 65+ (Texas Santa with candy for kids). 
  • Saturday, December 16 – Michael Martin Murphey & Rio Grande Band, $25 online & $30 at door.
  • Children (12 & under) and active duty military admitted free.

The nightly ball begins at 8 and concludes at midnight in old Pioneer Hall, 2300 Avenue G. It is traditionally held the Thursday, Friday and Saturday before December 25. Information and tickets may be obtained from the website at www.ansoncowboyschristmasball.com.

The Texas Cowboys' Christmas Ball Association conducts the annual three-day ball as well as owns and maintains Pioneer Hall. It is a Texas nonprofit corporation organized in 1937, an IRS 501(3)(c) tax-exempt public historical charity, and composed of area couples and local volunteers who freely contribute their time, service and resources. The ball was copyrighted in 1937 and remains exclusive association property. 

Our area “...offers visitors the look, taste and feel of the West. Events such as...THE TEXAS COWBOYS' CHRISTMAS BALL in Anson are celebrations of who we are and are authentic. People come from across miles and miles of Texas, other states and even other countries to experience Texas as it was and still is.” - Abilene Reporter-News editorial (May 3, 2015).

John Compere is historiian of the Texas Cowboys' Christmas Ball Association.