The Finley Boys Rodeo Collection

Collection of artifacts and photographs documenting the lives and professional rodeo careers of brothers Luther, Frank, and Larry Finley. All three Finley boys started riding horses and competing in rodeos at a young age, and eventually became career rodeo stars, competing all over the country during the 1930s and 1940s. Luther's rodeo nickname was "Chipmunk". He won the world's championship in wild horse racing both in 1937 and 1939. Larry was world's champion bareback bronc rider in 1947. Larry was also an actor, appearing in many western movies and TV shows.

During World War II, Luther and Frank served in the Marine Corps while Larry was in the army. Luther was stationed in the Pacific and he was wounded during the fighting. After coming back to Arizona, Luther attended Arizona State Teachers College and earned a degree in engineering. After becoming a Bachelor of Science in 1948, Luther obtained a Master of Fine Arts in Education in 1949. He earned a doctorate from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1954. He worked as an engineering professor at Arizona State College for nine years, from approximately 1950 to 1959. He also did survey work in Tempe during this time. In about 1960, Luther started teaching in El Centro California. He taught in the Imperial Community College District and obtained secondary school administration credentials from California State Board of Education in 1967. While in El Centro, Luther also worked for the U.S. Department of Defense as a nuclear expert.