Fonds med-711 - Addison Day fonds

Addison P. Day was born in Austin, Texas in 1873. His father C.P. Day was a brother to Tony Day of "Turkey Track" fame. They ran cattle together in south Texas. Addison attended the University of Texas and played two years of football for the Orange and White. In 1897, Addison married Ada Tilton Lee of Belton, Texas. They had three children: a girl, Galena, and 2 boys, Addison P. Jr. and Horace C. He continued to run his father's ranch until 1903 when Ad moved his family and came to Medicine Hat with his brothers - Tony, Ford and Willie. Addison and Tony Day built adjoining houses on Esplanade (now First Street) facing the river and each of them purchased ranchland south of the city near the Montana border. They ran cattle for several years and later raised horses to sell to farmers, using Clydesdale and Percheron stallions. The first Calgary Stampede in 1912 was directed and produced by Addison P. Day. Until 1919 he organized various rodeo events from Winnipeg to Montana. Ad sold his ranch during this time and invested heavily in Medicine Hat property including two theatres and a pottery. He also started a newpaper named "The Call" in 1912 and published it until around 1915. The office was on Esplandade across from Riverside Park. After the war, Addison left Medicine Hat losing most of his investments. He moved to Los Angeles and managed a big cattle feeding operation for several years. In 1927 he helped promote the first big rodeo at the Colosseum in downtown Los Angeles. Addison could ride a cutting horse as good as ever up until he was 75. A heart attack shortly after his birthday forced him to retire. He settled in Arizona. Addison P. Day was nominated to the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in 1978. Horace, his son was living in Washington, D.C. for some time.