Where was the Baboquivari School located?
View a drawing of the Palo Alto Ranch [5K] by Ramon Beltran, from Three Points.
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The Little Cowpunchers ride in the 1939 Rodeo
Parade, Tucson, Arizona (photo courtesy of Victor Aros)
In 1935 Victor Aros was in the the second grade and Pedro (Pete) Aros was in kindergarten at the Baboquivari School when it was located on the Poso Nuevo Ranch, where they lived. In 1939, Victor was in the the sixth grade and Pete in the fourth grade when the Baboquivari School was located on the Palo Alto Ranch - Sasabe Route. That year, Victor was also the "editor" of a February 24, 1939, Arizona Daily Star Fifteenth Annual Rodeo Edition of The Little Cowpuncher.
Read a selection of Victor Aros' contributions to The Little Cowpuncher (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) and Pete Aros. (1)
Victor and Pete had a number of brothers and sisters also at the school. Arturo was one of the most prolific artists for that year's Little Cowpuncher. Other Aros brothers and sisters contributing to the 1939 edition were: Meli, Chelo, Ysdira and Pili.
Victor Aros has competed in rodeos throughout his life and is teaching roping his grandchildren after school on his ranch.View a photo Victor riding his favorite horse in a roping event. [52K]
Victor and Pete were interviewed on November 22, 2002, at their ranchito in South Tucson. Read Bonnie Henry's story about Victor and Pete, "Gray Rancheros Ride On," that appeared in the February 6, 2004, Arizona Daily Star.
Victor and Pete remember the Baboquivari School, their teacher "Sister" Bourne, and answer questions about writing and drawing for the Little Cowpuncher. [04:51 RealPlayer QuickTime]
Victor and Pete speak about their father and mother, what life was like growing up with sixteen children in the house, and their daily chores. Although their youth was spent on a ranch during the Great Depression in America, they remember alwasy having food to eat. They grew their own crops and often had fresh meet, as well as corn tortillas and beans. They recall stories from the Little Cowpuncher about Victor's participation in pie eating contests and Pete's in watermellon eating contests. [07:23 RealPlayer QuickTime]
