In 1976, upon the incorporation of the ICS, wealthy individuals primarily made up the organization, including on the first board of governors C.V. Wood Jr., the architect who brought the London Bridge to Lake Havasu, Arizona, designed Disneyland and was married to Joanne Dru, an actress who starred in many John Wayne films. Thanks to the Woods’ connections, movie stars of their day, such as John Wayne, Ernest Borgnine and Robert Mitchum, attended the early World Championship Chili Cook-offs held at the old Tropico Gold Mine in Rosamond, California.
Prior to 1976, winners received only a trophy and bragging rights. To award prize money, the ICS needed sponsors, but the sponsors didn’t want to travel to the Tropico Gold Mine in the middle of nowhere. Since then, the ICS World…
