The Ben Johnson Cowboy Museum

The Ben Johnson Cowboy Museum An amazing collection of the notable cowboys, cowgirls, and western heritage, ALL from OSAGE COUNTY!
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"Probably the finest rough-stock contestant ever to compete in the sport of rodeo, Jim Shoulders was born in 1928 at Tul...
08/26/2026

"Probably the finest rough-stock contestant ever to compete in the sport of rodeo, Jim Shoulders was born in 1928 at Tulsa, Oklahoma. Familiar with horses and cattle from his childhood, he entered his first competition in 1943 and won $18. Within 20 years, he would have no peer in rodeo sport, having won more championship titles than any other professional cowboy athlete. Jim Shoulders dominated rodeo throughout the 1950s, capturing an unequaled sixteen World Championship titles: five of which were All-Arounds. His strength, coolness and flamboyant spurring ability brought him an unprecedented seven Bull-Riding titles and also four Ba****ck. Riding titles. The cumulative record set by Jim has been challenged for more than 40 years.

His record brought induction into the Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1955. In 1996, Shoulders won the Culture of the American Cowboy Award and was inducted in the Professional Bull Riders’ Ring of Honor. A professional in business as well as sport, Shoulders has done much to promote the future of rodeo. His media promotion, product endorsement and spokesmanship for rodeo sponsors like Justin, Wrangler, Miller, Ford, and Dodge have made him a national and international figure in rodeo lore. In addition, he maintained fine contract bucking stock, started the first rodeo training school for aspiring contestants, and invented the mechanical bucking machine. For his many contributions to rodeo sport and promotion, and to the youth of America, Jim Shoulders was selected as the recipient of the Ben Johnson Memorial Award in 2004." - https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/.../rode.../inductees/5042

Come see our great display on Don McLaughlin and all the other World Champion Cowboys at the Ben Johnson Cowboy Museum, right here in beautiful historic downtown Pawhuska, Oklahoma!



https://www.benjohnsoncowboymuseum.com/

08/25/2026

Plan your trip TODAY to Pawhuska and The Ben Johnson Cowboy Museum! We get visitors from all over the world and love hearing their stories and why they wanted to come! Come and see us at the home of the world's greatest cowboys, The Ben Johnson Cowboy Museum in historic Downtown Pawh

https://www.benjohnsoncowboymuseum.com/

Henry Starr (1873–1921) was the "Last of the Horseback Outlaws," a man whose career bridged the gap between the Old West...
08/24/2026

Henry Starr (1873–1921) was the "Last of the Horseback Outlaws," a man whose career bridged the gap between the Old West and the motor age. Born into a famous Cherokee outlaw family—his aunt was the "Bandit Queen" Belle Starr—he claimed to have robbed more banks than any man in America, allegedly outperforming Jesse James with 21 successful heists.
Starr was known as a "gentleman bandit" who preferred logic over lethal force. His most legendary feat occurred in 1915 when he pulled off a double daylight bank robbery in Stroud, Oklahoma, successfully hitting two banks simultaneously—a feat the Dalton Gang died attempting. Though wounded and captured during the escape, his charisma remained intact. After being paroled, he took the bizarre step of becoming a silent film star. He wrote and starred in the 1919 film A Debtor to the Law, where he played himself reenacting his own robberies.
Despite his brief stint in Hollywood, the lure of the "long rider" life returned. In 1921, he attempted a robbery in Harrison, Arkansas, using a car for the getaway—making him one of the first outlaws to transition from horseback to horsepower. However, his luck ran out when a bank official shot him in the back. He died four days later, marking the true end of the outlaw era. His unique life, from the trail to the silver screen, is chronicled in The Reel Thrilling Events of Bank Robber Henry Starr.

Come learn more about the notorious Outlaws of Osage County right here at the Ben Johnson Cowboy Museum in beautiful historic downtown Pawhuska, OK!!

https://www.benjohnsoncowboymuseum.com/

08/22/2026

Ben Johnson on how he created his character Sam The Lion for his Academy award winning performance in The Last Picture Show.

Come see us today and learn all about Ben Johnson's rodeo career, life in Osage County, and all the wonderful things that make Osage County the Home of the World's Greatest Cowboys!!

https://www.benjohnsoncowboymuseum.com/

Don McLaughlin was a familiar figure in the annals of Pawhuska roping history. He was a consistent winner at the Ben Joh...
08/21/2026

Don McLaughlin was a familiar figure in the annals of Pawhuska roping history. He was a consistent winner at the Ben Johnson Memorial Steer Roping, held annually in Pawhuska, winning the big jackpot in 1962 and 1963 while placing in the average a total of seven times. Don started out, along with his brother Gene, as a child trick roper, often performing at Madison Square Garden. He was crowned world champion calf Roper in 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1957, And steer roping world champion in 1960, 1963, in 1970. Always a crowd favorite, riding the legendary Black Horse that Pawhuska’s own Jim snively won the world on in 1956, he was truly one of the all-time greats to ever rope in the historic Pawhuska arena.

Come see our great display on Don McLaughlin and all the other World Champion Cowboys at the Ben Johnson Cowboy Museum, right here in beautiful historic downtown Pawhuska, Oklahoma!



Don McLaughlin was a familiar figure in the annals of Pawhuska roping history. He was a consistent winner at the Ben Johnson Memorial Steer Roping, held annually in Pawhuska, winning the big jackpot in 1962 and 1963 while placing in the average a total of seven times. Don started out, along with his brother Gene, as a child trick roper, often performing at Madison Square Garden. He was crowned world champion calf Roper in 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1957, And steer roping world champion in 1960, 1963, in 1970. Always a crowd favorite, riding the legendary Black Horse that Pawhuska’s own Jim snively won the world on in 1956, he was truly one of the all-time greats to ever rope in the historic Pawhuska arena.

Come see our great display on Don McLaughlin and all the other World Champion Cowboys at the Ben Johnson Cowboy Museum, right here in beautiful historic downtown Pawhuska, Oklahoma!



https://www.benjohnsoncowboymuseum.com/

08/20/2026

Listen in this week when Cody and Jimbo visit with the World's Champion steer roper and Hollywood actor, Kenny Call. Kenny tells some greatstories on his days in the movie business, and his friendship with Ben Johnson. You won't want to miss this one.

After rescuing three actors from a wagon being pulled by a runaway team of horses, Ben Johnson was called into John Ford...
08/19/2026

After rescuing three actors from a wagon being pulled by a runaway team of horses, Ben Johnson was called into John Ford’s office. “I thought maybe
he might give me a speaking part in his next film. He invited me into his office and told me to sit down, then he handed me a piece of paper. I read down to about the third line and saw ‘$5,000 a week.’ I stopped reading, grabbed a pen and signed it.”
-Ben Johnson

Visit us right here in beautiful, historic downtown Pawhuksa, OK, or visit us online!

https://www.benjohnsoncowboymuseum.com/

Address

201 E. 6th Street
Pawhuska, OK
74056

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm

Telephone

+19182879922

Website

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