Frank Robbins papers, 1946-1996

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Robbins, Frank, 1894-1984
Title
Frank Robbins papers
Dates
1946-1996 (inclusive)
Quantity
.85 cubic ft. (4 boxes) + 68 MB
Collection Number
10496
Summary
The collection consists of a biography (book), " Wild Horse Robbins" by Jack Price, prints, photocopies, and digital scans of prints depicting Frank and Christina Robbins and their ranch operations, a 16mm film titled "Fight of the Wild Stallions," and a ribbon promoting Robbins' Rodeo.
Repository
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu
Access Restrictions
Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.

Languages
English
Sponsor
The creation of the EAD-version of this finding aid was made possible through a grant from the National Historic Publications and Records Commission.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

“Wild Horse” Frank Robbins got his nickname because he liked to tame wild horses and use them to stock his ranch. Mr. Robbins was born in 1894 on his father’s ranch in Boxelder, Wyoming. He married Christina “Toots” Millar in 1918 and then spent a short period of time breaking horses for the army. After the war, Frank and Christina started a successful ranch in Nevada, but they sold out and returned to Wyoming in order to run their homestead ranch. This family ranch came to be known as the Robbins Ranch.

Frank Robbins liked to gather his horses from the Red Desert region of South Central Wyoming. He used a light airplane in order to round them up. He also championed wild horses during World War II, when there was a demand for their removal to save grazing land.

In 1946, Universal Studios made a film called Fight of the Wild Stallions, which featured a staged fight between a domestic and a wild stallion. The film was centered around Frank Robbins’ annual horse roundup, and it featured his use of an airplane. Afterwards, Frank and Christina flew to New York City for a related radio interview on We, The People. Mr. Robbins developed a wild breed called Robbins Roans, and he and Christina continued ranching until Mr. Robbins died in 1984.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection consists of a biography (book), Wild Horse Robbins by Jack Price, prints, photocopies, and digital scans of prints depicting Frank and Christina Robbins and their ranch operations, a 16mm film titled Fight of the Wild Stallions, and a ribbon promoting Robbins’ Rodeo.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Statement on Potentially Harmful Language and Images Found in Collections

The American Heritage Center aspires to approach all areas of our work in ways that are respectful to those who create, use, and are represented in our collections. For a variety of reasons, however, users may encounter offensive or harmful language or images in some of our finding aids, catalogs, and collection materials.

Note that the AHC does not censor or alter contents of the collections as they provide context and evidence of a time, people, place, or event. Therefore, we encourage users to bring questions and concerns about descriptions in our finding aids to our attention via email or anonymous web-form. For more information, read our full statement.

Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Frank Robbins papers, 1946-1995, Collection Number 10496, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Related Materials

There are no other known archival collections created by Frank Robbins at the date of processing.

Acquisition Information

The Frank (Wild Horse) Robbins papers, 1946-1996, were given to the American Heritage Center from 1997-2022. The papers and artifacts were received in good condition.

Processing Note

The collection was processed by John Hanks in February 2001 and updated by Jamie Greene in July 2021 and December 2024.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 and Digital 1 and ahcdm_10496_001 Photocopies, prints, and digital scans of Frank and Christina Robbins’ ranch operations and stills from Fight of the Wild Stallions 1946-1984
1 2 Artifact, White ribbon with “Robbins’ Rodeo Glenrock, July 3,4,5” undated
1 3 Book, Wild Horse Robbins by Jack Price 1990
Oversize Fight of the Wild Stallions, Universal Pictures
16mm Film
Recording and Reproduction Characteristics Fight of the Wild Stallions film 16mm.
1947
Box Folder
2 Funeral guest book - Christina J. Robbins August 6, 1996
2 Photographs - Rodeo post cards 1910-1930
2-3 Photographs - Robbins family, Robbins Ranch, and Desert Dust 1906-1986

Processed by John Hanks
2006

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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