2005 Hall of Fame Inductee
Ed 'Pop' Landers

2005 Hall of Fame Inductee

Ed “Pop” Landers

Posthumous Induction

Mr. Edward “Pop” Landers was born on September 10, 1910, in Bossier City Parrish, Louisiana. His parents were Ida Landers and Charlie Landers. He attended the Taylor Town Catholic School. Landers left Louisiana with his mother and step father, Ed Singleton, in a covered wagon to Texas. He later married Ms. Ida Thompson and raised one daughter, Ray Pearl Beasley. Landers had eight grandchildren, (one is deceased) and many great grandchildren. Mr. Landers served as a deacon at the Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church under Reverend Dawson. He passed away in December of 1982 with his loved ones by his side in Fort Worth, Texas.

Ed Landers was the founder/originator of Circle L Five Riding Club founded in 1951. There were four others: John Farrell, Scott Farrell, Shirley Sanders and W. D. Warrick. Mr. Sanders is the only living founder. Circle L Five Riding Club was the first African-American riding club in Texas to have a charter. They came about the club name as they were sitting in a circle talking about organizing a riding club. “Pop” Landers had a stick in his hand making a circle in the dirt. It was decided, “Circle”, and as it was Lander’s idea, they used his last name’s initial “L”. Since it was just the five of them, they came up with the name Circle L 5 Riding Club. “Pop” Landers had the vision and desire to create the riding club’s existence. His desire was to be able to ride as a black cowboy in any parade or rodeo anywhere he desired. Circle L 5 Riding Club’s first parade was in the African-American community of Como, on the west side of Fort Worth, Texas. It was only the five men of the Circle L 5 Riding Club riding up and down the streets of Como. The club has reached its 54th anniversary and consists of members who are well known all over the United States. The Drill Team performs and drills at shows across the country. “Pop” Landers name is proudly displayed on the club flag and club uniforms used in parades and rodeos when the drill team performs.

The members of the Circle L 5 Riding Club believe Ed “Pop” Landers has earned a place in the National Cowboys of Color Museum’s Hall of Fame because of the desire and vision he possessed as a pioneer for continuing the education and activities of western heritage and its traditions in the African-American community.

Back to the Hall of Fame