History & Lawrence Frazier
Lawrence G. “Lol” Frazier was known as a man of foresight, integrity, determination and dedication. He has the distinction of holding the longest tenure of any Director in the history of the Round-Up from its beginning in 1910 to 1937 serving continuously as Grounds Director for twenty-seven years and Interim President in 1933.
As Grounds Director, Lawrence was involved in every facet of the facility from inspecting the loads of lumber, overseeing building of corrals and seating to checking out the race trackand arena conditions.
Converting a baseball field into an arena was no small feat. Every vestige of sitting & standing room was occupied for the first day of the rodeo. Lawrence oversaw the building of additional bleachers to meet the demand for the second day of events.
Lawrence worked with a committee of Round-Up Directors to secure a new home for the Pendleton Round Up in 1911 which would provide much needed space for the arena, livestock corrals and public seating. They settled on the Matlock Grounds near the River and quickly began site preparations. In 1911 bids were put out for construction of the first grandstand with Oregon Lumber Company making the low bid of $3,125 which would be approximately $83,000 in today’s dollars.
It was said that Lawrence could get more out of a dime than most people could get out of a silver dollar and thus he was able to maximize the building efforts despite a tight budget. Lawrence inspected every load of lumber used for the improvements and enlisted many young people in the community to assist with the Round-Up grounds projects.
Ground improvements including additional seating and grandstands enhancements, additional barns and corrals. Lawrence oversaw the entire improvement project which required many hours away from his business with Frazier Book Store as he inspected building supplies and oversaw helpers.
Frazier was admired for his strong financial management and visionary leadership, Round-Up remains on the land secured in 1911. But even more unique is you will note from the early day photos of the Round-Up Grounds that the general arena and grounds layouts are very similar to our 2018 facilities.
Between 1910 and 1931 the Round-Up had been very successful and put most of its profit back into improving the Round-Up grounds and buildings with the rest going into community enhancements including city parks, playgrounds, the Red Cross and contributions to a new airport.
But in 1932 the country was faced with the Depression and many financial hardships, there was little money for entertainment. Consequently, attendance dropped drastically and the 1932 Round-Up lost heavily resulting in a bill of $32,000 from the bank which they were unable to pay.
Pendleton Round-Up President, Henry W. Collins resigned as did the Vice President and Business Manager-George Baer, Secretary-Treasurer-H.W. Dickson, the Arena Manager-Richard Rice and Director of Competitive Events-George Strand. The challenges were obviousand many thought the obstacles were too great and it was time to end the Round-Up event.
“After most careful consideration and in view of the years that I have devoted to the Pendleton Round-Up I feel that I am obliged to tender my resignationas President, effective at once. Since action on my part will enable the stockholders at the meeting which I understand they will hold November 8thto reorganize the show along any lines that they may desire. …”
– Henry Collins -Oct 14, 1932
On April 13, 1933 a small group of Round-Up backers met and agreed to try to reorganize the event if the community was willing to support the efforts. Lawrence Frazier agreed to the role of Interim President and Lester Hamley stepped up as chair of the reorganization committee. Additional committee members included J.E. Allen, M.J. Barthel, John Murray and R.W. Ritner. They were able to secure operating cash by selling 290 shares at $10 each in 10 days which was determined sufficient to hold the event.
On June 16, 1933 the Round-Up was incorporated changing from the former legal name “Northwest Frontier Exhibition Association” to the name of “Pendleton Round-Up Association.” The 1933 show went on with admission prices at half price with the board able to meet most of the show’s expenses. By 1934 the Round-Up was able to pay all ofthe bills from the prior two years with a hundred dollars to spare. Lawrence was described as a pillar of strength during the Round-Up reorganizationand it is thought that Round-Up might not have continued if Lawrence had not agreed to step in tothe role as Interim President.
“No person in Pendleton has given more to a single cause than Lawrence G. Frazier”
– W. Forrester, Jr., East Oregonian 1939
Lawrence Grant “Lol” Frazier was born in Sonoma County, CA. His family moved in 1879 via covered wagon to Centerville (Athena) and then to Pendleton in 1883. His dedication to Pendleton included membership in Pendleton’s first militia in 1886 and service to the Volunteer Fire Department including several leadership roles as assistant chief and department chief. Lawrence was a star member of Pendleton’s Baseball team as well as a trombone player in the Round-Up band, church choir, actor in minstrel shows produced at the Frazer Opera House, member of B.P.O.E. and Pendleton Lodge. Lawrence also served as a Director for the Pendleton Chamber of Commerce.
Lawrence was a hard worker. Early day jobs included working at Byers Mill; serving as a driver of the delivery wagon for Pacific & Northern Express and a night transfer clerk for the Railroad and Express Company.
In 1902 Lawrence purchased the Blue Front Stationery from Max Baer. Lawrence and his sister, Effie Jean, operated “Frazier’s Book Store” until his passing. Located on Main Street in downtown Pendleton, Frazier’s Book Store remains in operation under the present ownership of Ron and Debbie Bates.
Lawrence married Kathryn Corby of Pleasanton, Kansas in 1903. Their daughter, Jean Frazier Hamley, was Queen of the Round-Up in 1933.