Vera M. Herder Collection

Collection — Folder: 1 (SC OS1-2)

Identifier: R-204

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains two photographs of Fritz Truan. Both photos are mounted on matte board. One is black and white, while the other is color. The both photographs are by DeVere Helfrich.

Dates

Creation: 1940

Creator

Herder, Vera M. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The Vera M. Herder Collection has no restrictions and is available for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The Vera M. Herder Collection is the property of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Materials, even if owned by the NCWHM, may be protected under third party copyright. It is the patron’s responsibility to research and secure any such additional copyright and pay any required fees or royalties. It is not the intention of the NCWHM to impede upon any third party rights, and the NCWHM cannot be held responsible if the patron is involved in legal action due to violation of third party copyright claims.

Biographical / Historical

Frederick Gregg “Fritz” Truan was born on November 12, 1916, in Ceile, California, but spent most of his years in Long Beach. As a teenager, Truan began in the rodeo business by entering the small weekly contests around Los Angeles in the 1930s. By 1935, he was traveling with an older cowboy, Johnny Slater, to compete in rodeos full time beyond California. When he was just 23, he won his first World’s Champion Saddle Bronc Rider award in 1939. He was the youngest world’s champion to ever be crowned at that time. He won it again in 1940, while also winning the title of World’s Champion All-Around Cowboy. He was also well-known for his competitions in steer wrestling and bareback bronc riding. The 1939 Madison Square Garden bronc ride on Hell’s Angel was Truan’s first championship win. He successfully rode Hell’s Angel four times in three years. In 1961, Truan was inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma. In August of 1995 Truan was honored in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Extent

0.08 Linear Feet (1 folder (small collections))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Related Materials

There are other artifacts related to Fritz Truan’s rodeo career and his Marine Corps service in the artifacts collections, namely his Purple Heart medal, Victory Medal, Cowboy Turtles Association pin, rodeo trophies, belt buckles, a pair of chaps, and other items.

Processing Information

This collection was officially received on March 21, 1967, as a gift from Truan’s sister, Vera M. Herder. Other items in the collection were received in August 1980.