|
|
FEATURED ARTICLE |
African American Cowboys in the Wild West |
When one imagines the "Wild West" of the 19th century, it is probably the stereotypical imagery of “Cowboys and Indians”. And those cowboys in your head are likely white. But African-American cowboys of the 19th century actually accounted for about one quarter, or 25 percent of workers in the cattle industry between the 1860s and 1880s.
According to SmithsonianMag the term "cowboy" is believed to have been a pejorative referring to black workers, while white workers were called "cow hands." Over time, however, all ranch workers became known as cowboys. |
 |
|
CHRONICLE OF THE OLD WEST |
John Tunstall John Tunstall was an Englishman who came to America with some capital to invest. He wandered over to New Mexico where he met a lawyer named Alexander McSween. McSween suggested that there were good business opportunities in Lincoln County. What he probably didn’t mention was that there was a bit of a rivalry, over government beef contracts, going on between a J. J. Dolan and John Riley, owners of a general store called “The House,” and local cattle ranchers. |
|
|
|
|
click here to read more... |
|
|
|
|
Images of Cool Cowgirls
The Ranchers, Pioneers, & Later Rodeo Stars, Who Rode the West |
The chances are that your average Hollywood Western didn’t capture the image of a cowgirl, but rather that of a cowboy.
Many of us may have grown accustomed to the image of a male riding that horse, engaging in a fierce duel with his rival, and firing those pistols.
Historically speaking, women had their fair share of taming the broncos, too.
The facts are that there were plenty of female cowgirls, some pioneers and some ranchers, and delivering... |
click here to read more... |
|

Personally Signed by Steve Connors
(son of Chuck Connors)
click on the image for a larger version |
|
|
|
What it Means to Live Western |
Imagine yourself living most of your life on the East Coast of America. It’s mostly all about some pretty wet weather, and how you survive those challenges to go to work, school, or even play. If you were like me as a child, you often went to a Saturday Matinee Movie (then only 35 cents) to escape with a real good Lone Ranger or Roy Rogers/Dale Evans western movie!
Then, as an adult, you realize you’ve been in love with the West (or the attractive cowboys)... |
|
What 8 Legendary Towns Looked Like Then & Now |
You ride into town, sliding down off your horse, dust rising from your footfalls, spurs jingling at your heels. The trigger finger is itchy for the revolver at your side. Somewhere glass breaks and a woman laughs. A lawman eyes you warily as he crosses the street. You tip your hat and an ace of hearts falls out. You hastily stuff it back inside.
You've heard there's gold in them hills and you're aiming to make... |
|
Surprising ways the American Wild West was different from the way it has been portrayed |
The Wild West evokes images of Clint Eastwood and Western movies. A place where men were tough and rough; a place of gunfights and massacres.
But was the West truly like this? Read below and find out some strange but true facts about life in the Wild West. |
 |
~by Dulcy Brightman
click here to read more... |
click here to read more... |
click here to read more... |
|
|
Featured Historical Photo |
 |
Santiago ‘Jimmy’ McKinn was a boy by the age of 11 or 12, who lived with his family in the lower Mimbres Valley, New Mexico. One day, while out with his older brother Martin, a group of Chiricahua Apache led by Geronimo approached the two. The Apache then killed Martin and abducted young Santiago.
As the story goes, Santiago was eventually rescued by General George Crook, but the boy did not want to go back to his family and preferred to stay with the Apache. The above photo depicts young Santiago McKinn along with his captors, with whom he lived for six months, taking up their language and lifestyle. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|