The Purple Circle

The Purple Circle was active from the 1920s through the 60s. The group was composed primarily of ranchers committed to raising purebred livestock. Many had distinguished themselves by winning county- to international-level grand championships (purple ribbons).

Gordon True, Chairman of the University Farm’s Animal Husbandry Division from 1914-1926, coined the term “purple circle” to refer to the state’s largest concentration of prize-winning animals. The circle enclosed all land within ten miles of “the Davis to Woodland axis,” and in the 1920s included 46 ranches as well as the University Farm itself. Ranches closest to Davis were owned by the Rowe, Schmeiser, Roby, Irwin, Pierce, Hopkins, Anderson, Swingle, Dolcini, and Briggs families, and the Davis Horse and Cattle Company.

True created interest in high-level livestock competition as early as 1916, when steers and sheep from the Animal Husbandry Division won purple ribbons at the Chicago International Livestock Exposition (“University Farm Stock Carries Off Highest Honors,” shouted the Davis Enterprise). In following years, animals from both the University Farm and a number of area ranches received top awards at this extremely prestigious event.

Beginning in 1925, the Purple Circle annual dinner celebrated the completion of the livestock-show season and recognized the year’s winners. Held at Sacramento’s elegant Senator Hotel, the yearly event continued at similar venues well into the l960s.

Included in the exhibit was the 1920's coverlet made entirely of ribbons won by Rowe livestock and picture of Chicago International cattle and sheep winners.