AHJ_ah10496 Inventory of the Frank Robbins papers,1946-1996 Robbins (Frank) papers Processed by John Hanks The creation of the EAD-version of this finding aid was made possible through a grant from the National Historic Publications and Records Commission. University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
American Heritage Center Dept. 3924, 1000 E. University Avenue University of Wyoming Laramie, WY 82071 Phone: 307.766.2574 Fax:307.766.5511 Email:ahcref@uwyo.edu URL:http://ahc.uwyo.edu/
2006

University of Wyoming

 Finding aid encoded by Ann Mulfort July 2006 Finding aid is in English Collection Summary Robbins, Frank, 1894-1984 Frank Robbins papers 1946-1996 10496 .85 cubic ft. (4 boxes) + 68 MB University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center. English 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. Biography of Frank Robbins

“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.

 Scope and Content

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.

 Access Restrictions

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

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

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.

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

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

 Access Terms Wild horses--Red Desert (Wyo.) Horse trainers--Wyoming. Horses--Breeding. Wyoming--History--1919-1945. Wyoming--History--1946-1999. Biography. Robbins, Christina. Ranching Wyoming Container List 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 1947

16mm Film

 Recording and Reproduction Characteristics

Fight of the Wild Stallions film 16mm.

 2Funeral guest book - Christina J. RobbinsAugust 6, 1996 2Photographs - Rodeo post cards1910-1930 2-3Photographs - Robbins family, Robbins Ranch, and Desert Dust1906-1986