Franklin Unveils Rodeo Statue at Jim Warren Park

The city and the Franklin Noon Rotary Club dedicated a new plaza to honor the event's 75th anniversary.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Rodeo

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a bronze rodeo sculpture in a park, evoking the 75-year legacy of the Franklin Rodeo. — Franklin officials and the Franklin Noon Rotary Club dedicated a new plaza and bronze rodeo statue at Jim Warren Park on Tuesday. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Franklin commemorated 75 years of its iconic rodeo with the dedication of a new 1.4-acre plaza and a bronze sculpture at Jim Warren Park. The site honors the location that hosted the event for decades before its move to the Williamson County Ag Expo Center.

Why it matters

The project serves as a permanent tribute to the long-standing legacy of the Franklin Rodeo, which has become a staple of the community since its founding in 1949. It also acknowledges the cultural impact of the Franklin Noon Rotary Club, which manages the event and supports local charities.

The new Franklin Rodeo Plaza covers 1.4 acres at Jim Warren Park and features a bronze sculpture of a cowboy on a bucking horse created by artist Scott Rogers. This installation marks the 75th anniversary of the rodeo founded in 1949.

The players

Scott Rogers

He is the sculptor who created the bronze statue of a cowboy on a bucking horse.

Franklin Noon Rotary Club

This service organization manages the annual rodeo and has raised millions of dollars for local charitable initiatives.

Williamson, Inc.

This regional chamber of commerce serves as the primary business advocacy organization for the area.

The details

Williamson, Inc. hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the area, which now features walking paths, lighting, and historical signage near the intersection of Boyd Mill Avenue and Culberson Boulevard. The Franklin Noon Rotary Club, which has contributed millions to local schools and charities, funded the statue to preserve the history of the site.

The Franklin Rodeo was originally founded in 1949.
The event moved to the Williamson County Ag Expo Center in 2001.
The new statue was officially unveiled on October 15, 2026.

Season Trajectory

The permanent installation of this memorial solidifies the history of the 1949 establishment of the Franklin Rodeo as a foundational pillar of local tradition. This project ensures the legacy of the event remains tied to its original home even as current competitions shift to the Ag Expo Center.

Residents and visitors now have access to a new public recreational space featuring walking paths and benches at Jim Warren Park. This addition serves as both a historical landmark for the rodeo and a functional improvement to the park grounds near Culberson Boulevard.

The takeaway

This project highlights the importance of preserving local historical landmarks as community gathering spaces. Residents can visit the plaza to enjoy the new walking paths and gain insight into the long-running rodeo culture of the region.