From cowboys to saloons and gun-slinging, there’s a lot we think we know about the American Wild West. But few know what it was really like. It was a lawless time, and while we can’t go back and experience it (thankfully), we have movies, stories, and photographic evidence keeping some of the iconic figures and traditions of the time alive. We’re here today to take a look at a collection of photos defining the American Wild West.
#1: Importing Camels to the South in 1855
#2: African-American Cowboys Were Prevalent
#3: Faro Was the Game of Choice Played by the Cowboys
#4: Many Lives Were Lost Due to Breathing in Silicon Dust, Nevada, 1893
#5: 10-Gallon Hats Weren’t Actually Worn by Cowboys
Their hat of choice was flat-brimmed Stetsons, famously known as the “Boss of the Plains.”
#6: Saloon Girls
#7: Congress Was Responsible for Restricting the Hunt of Bison
When the bison population plummeted to just a few hundred, Congress had to enact a hunting ban. Only a single herd remained at the time, finding refuge in Yellowstone National Park. This crucial step ignited the bison’s resurgence.
#8: Birthday Party, Minnesota, Circa 1900
#9: Fannie Porter, a Wild West Famous Madame and Businesswoman
#10: Dust Posed Real Health Concerns
#11: Photos of Deceased Outlaws Were Used as a Deterrent for Others
#12: American Frontiersman Kit Carson Was Instrumental in Shaping California (1809-1868)
#13: Cattle Drives Kept Cowboys Away from Home for Months
#14: Captain Wheeler and His Team Efforts Helped Create Topographic Maps of the U.S., Circa 1870
#15: Saloon Owners Were Among the Hard-Working, Wyoming , Circa 1820
#16: The Pony Express Messenger Lasted for 18 Months, Circa 1860
#17: Price Gouging in Californian Mining Towns, Circa 1850
#18: Using Mules to Transport Borax at the Heart of the Frontier
#19: The Bob Saloon in Jordan, Montana, Was Where Everyone Went
#20: Saloons Were Very Popular With Many Different People
#21: Being in Buffalo Bill’s Show Leads to Success
#22: Some Settlers and Native Americans Weren’t Enemies, But Embraced Each Other’s Culture
#23: What Buffalo Bill’s Show Was a Riot
#24: A Quest Along the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Circa 1900
#25: Bandanas Were More Than Just a Fashion Accessory for Cowboys, But Had Practical Purposes
