The American Wild West has become the subject of countless films and legends, but many of the people who helped shape that era were very real. Lawmen, outlaws, sharpshooters, and other frontier figures became larger than life through decades of retelling, often blurring the line between history and folklore. Behind the myths, however, were individuals who lived through one of the most turbulent periods in American history.
Captured during their own lifetimes, these portraits offer a direct connection to the people whose names became part of the legends. Together, they provide a real glimpse at the faces behind the stories that continue to define the American West more than a century later.
1. Butch Cassidy (seated, right), pictured with the Wild Bunch Gang
Born/Death: April 13, 1866 – November 7, 1908 (disputed).
Known For: Leader of the Wild Bunch gang, specialized in bank and train robberies.
Photo Taken: 1901
2. Sundance Kid (Harry Longabaugh) pictured with Etta James before they sailed for South America
Born/Death: 1867 – November 7, 1908 (disputed)
Known For: Partner of Butch Cassidy; member of the Wild Bunch gang. Pictured seated left in the previous slide with Butch Cassidy.
Photo Taken: 1901
3. Jesse James
Born/Death: September 5, 1847 – April 3, 1882
Known For: Leader of the James-Younger Gang, infamous for robbing banks, trains, and stagecoaches.
Photo Taken: 1876
4. Billy The Kid
Born/Death: November 23, 1859 – July 14, 1881
Known For: Infamous outlaw and gunslinger involved in the Lincoln County War.
Photo Taken: 1880 (Ben Wittick)
5. Belle Starr
Born/Death: February 5, 1848 – February 3, 1889
Known For: Female outlaw and horse thief known as the “Bandit Queen.”
Photo Taken: Left: Early 1880s, Right: 1886
6. Black Bart (Charles E. Boles)
Born/Death: 1829 – Disappeared after 1888.
Known For: Gentleman stagecoach robber who left poetic notes at crime scenes.
Photo Taken: 1888
7. Wild Bill Longley (William Preston Longley)
Born/Death: October 6, 1851 – October 11, 1878
Known For: Notorious gunfighter and outlaw known for his temper and deadly aim.
Photo Taken: 1878
8. Sam Bass
Born/Death: July 21, 1851 – July 21, 1878
Known For: Train and stagecoach robber with a Robin Hood-like reputation.
Photo Taken: 1870s
9. Doc Holliday
Born/Death: August 14, 1851 – November 8, 1887
Known For: Gambler, dentist, and gunfighter involved in the OK Corral shootout.
Photo Taken: (circa 1880s)
10. Kid Curry (Harvey Logan), pictured with Annie Rogers (aka Della Moore)
Born/Death: 1867 – 1904
Known For: Member of the Wild Bunch gang; known for his violent temper.
Photo Taken: Late 1800s
11. Wyatt Earp
Born/Death: March 19, 1848 – January 13, 1929
Known For: Legendary lawman, gambler, and participant in the OK Corral shootout.
Photo Taken: Circa late 1860s
12. Bat Masterson
Born/Death: November 26, 1853 – October 25, 1921
Known For: Lawman, journalist, and gambler; kept the peace in Dodge City.
Photo Taken: 1879
13. Pat Garrett
Born/Death: June 5, 1850 – February 29, 1908
Known For: Sheriff who famously shot Billy the Kid.
Photo Taken: January 1, 1908
14. Bass Reeves
Born/Death: July 1838 – January 12, 1910
Known For: First Black deputy U.S. marshal west of the Mississippi.
Photo Taken: Circa 1910
15. Wild Bill Hickok
Born/Death: May 27, 1837 – August 2, 1876
Known For: Lawman, gambler, and legendary gunslinger.
Photo Taken: Unknown
16. Calamity Jane
Born/Death: May 1, 1852 – August 1, 1903
Known For: Frontierswoman and sharpshooter; associated with Wild Bill Hickok.
Photo Taken: 1880s
17. Buffalo Bill Cody
Born/Death: February 26, 1846 – January 10, 1917.
Known For: Showman who popularized the Wild West in his performances.
Photo Taken: 1880
17. Annie Oakley
Born/Death: August 13, 1860 – November 3, 1926
Known For: Sharpshooter and star of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show.
Photo Taken: 1880
19. Frank Butler
Born/Death: 1847 – November 21, 1926
Known For: Sharpshooting partner and husband of Annie Oakley.
Photo Taken: Circa 1882
20. Sitting Bull
Born/Death: 1831 – December 15, 1890
Known For: Hunkpapa Lakota leader; key figure in the Battle of Little Bighorn.
Photo Taken: Circa 1883
21. Geronimo
Born/Death: June 1829 – February 17, 1909
Known For: Apache leader who resisted U.S. and Mexican forces.
Photo Taken: 1887
22. Chief Joseph
Born/Death: March 3, 1840 – September 21, 1904
Known For: Nez Perce leader; famous for his retreat and surrender speech.
Photo Taken: 1911
23. Clara Brown
Born/Death: 1800 – October 23, 1885
Known For: Freed slave who became a successful entrepreneur, philanthropist, and pioneer. Known as “Aunt Clara.”
Photo Taken: Late 1800s
24. Judge Roy Bean
Born/Death: 1825 – March 16, 1903
Known For: Self-proclaimed “Law West of the Pecos”; operated a saloon-courtroom hybrid and delivered colorful justice.
Photo Taken: 1885
25. Pearl Hart
Born/Death: 1871 – Disappeared after 1928
Known For: One of the few female stagecoach robbers, she famously declared she turned to crime to support her mot her.
Photo Taken: 1900
Want to see more Wild West content?
Check out 14 Dastardly Devils From The Wild West and Their Story, or take a look at 15 Women Who Ran the Wild West and Inspired Hollywood Legends. Finally, if you want to see old wild west saloons, check out 25 Vintage Photos of Old Wild West Saloons (1860s – 1910s).