America's Wild West era was filled with a lot of tension, gunfights, and discovery. Outlaws and cowboys were popular faces in Old West towns, and things like saloons and poker were invented. Throughout the entire 1800s, cowboys and settlers expanded to the West Coast in hopes of enrichment.
Annie Oakley Herself
Annie Oakley is one of the most well-known shooters of the Wild West. Not only was it uncommon for a woman to be a shooter, but she was incredibly good and could outshoot any man who challenged her. She was a part of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.
Fannie Porter
Fannie Porter was highly respected in the Wild West. She was a prostitute at a local brothel who was loyal to the criminals of the town. She kept secrets, hid her friends, and made sure that everyone got a meal that night.
Poker Days
Poker was a popular game to play in the old Wild West saloons. Cowboys gambled on everything, so poker was no different. It was also popular for crowds to gather around poker tables, especially when they know the players were good. We have the early cowboys to thank for this game!
Charley Nebo
Charley Nebo was born in 1842 to an English father and Canadian mother. He was a well-known cow-poke who spent his life in Texas, New Mexico, and Nebraska. He started working for John Chisum's cattle empire in 1878. He had become handicapped in the Civil War and became a stockman for Chisum's empire.
Old Mission Church
This is a great example of the Spanish Colonial era. The Old Mission church was located in New Mexico and established back in 1630. This structure played a huge part in the Pueblo Revolt. It still stands today and is a protected tourist attraction!
Sioux Indian Teepees
The Sioux tribe was the most prevalent in the Great Plains. They were a nomadic tribe who hunted bison and set up shop wherever they could for a few days.
Mojave Native Maiman
Maiman was a guide-interpretor in the 19th century. He was close friensd with the photographer of this photo, Timothy O'Sullivan. The two ventured out into the wilderness to take photos quite often. Miaman even helped O'Sullivan find pieces of land that he would have never dreamed of photographing!
Cowboy Stuntin'
Cowboys were so easily identifiable because of their look. They could always be spotted wearing a bandana, leather gloves, chaps, boots, jeans, and their classic cowboy hat.
Olive Oatman
Olive Oatman is famousbecause of how she was kindapped when she was only 14-year-sold. She and her younger sister were enslaved and traded a year later to the M ohave tribe. Both sisters weretatooed on the chin.Sadly,her sister did not make it out as she died from starvation.
Jimmy Mckinn Santiago
Jimmy Mckinn Santiago (center) lived with his family in New Mexico. When he was 11 or 12, he was abducted by a group of Chiricahua Apache led by Geronimo himself. Santiago live with the tribe for six months and ended up learning their language and way of life. He was brought back to his family by General George Crook.
Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show
Buffalo Bill was a talent scout and bison hunter (hence his nickname) but spent most of his time recruiting people for his sideshow acts. The crew he recruited consisted of a wide variety of acts (including shooter Annie Oakley and her husband) but also threw parades and other circuses. Basically, he had the only form of entertainment in the Wild West!
Buffalo Bill's Squad
This photo innncludes John Burn, John Nelson, a unnamed Sioux Nation friend, and a few unnamed cowboys! These men were a part of Buffalo Bill's rolling group of entertainers. It's unclear what each of these men did, but it most likely included weapons entertainment.
Poker's Growth
Soon after casual poker games became a thing, saloons quickly hired poker hands to run tables in order to increase revenue. Smaller saloons still kept the casual poker games going, but the tables with the hands were always more fun to watch.
Old Tasacosa, Northern Texas
This was a popular saloon in Northern Texas back in 1907. It was one of the many that were o pen 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Cowboys loved to come by and let off some steam from the day.
Secret Identities
The women of the Wild West usually went by monikers in order to protect their families and friends just in case something went wrong. Many women went by names like "soiled doves," "ladies of the line," "sporting women," "Doves of the roast," "fallen frails," "nymphs du prairie," and "fallen angels." They were only referred to as the names above and usually never their real names unless they were well-respected.
The Bob Saloon
A group of cowboys are just hanging around the Bob Saloon in this photo. The owner was a cowboy, too, so he knew exactly what type of establishment to create for his fellow cowboys. Patrons could dance, play card games, dice games, and even bowl.
Gould and Curry Mining
Virginia City, Nevada had a popular mine called Gould and Curry. The miner in this photo was around 900 feet deep into the Earth. He was one of the many who rushed into the city to get some gold.
The First Saloon
The first saloon was established in Wyoming, 1822. Bartenders were some of the most respected individuals in town. The early saloons were mainly used for prostitution, gambling, and opium dens in addition to serving drinks.
Charging Thunder
Charging Thunder was one of many Native Americans who frequented Buffalo Bill's Wild West show. He was a 26-year-old Lakota chief when he joined. He ended up marrying a White horse trainer, became a British citizen, and moved to Manchester to work in the Belle Vues Circus as an elephant trainer.
Billy The Kid
Billy the Kid is a notorious name int he Wild West. His real name is Henry McCarty, but when by Billy the Kid after he became a known murderer. He has at least 8 known murders under his belt. Most of his crimes were comitted in his teenage years, and he died when he was 21-years-old.
General Custer's Troops
This is a photo of the Dakota Territory. General Custer's men are crossing the plains as they get from point A to point B. General Custer was a well-known general of the Civil and Indian wars.
The Wheeler Survey Group
These people were a part of the Wheeler Suvery Group. They were led by Captain George Montague Wheeler. The expedition was to create topographic maps of the Southwest and lasted from 1869 until 1879.
Wyatt Earp
Wyatt Earp was a deputy sherrif in a town in Arizona. He got his reputation as a gambler during a gunfight at the O.K. Corral. He killed three other cowboys in a shoot out. He was a fighter!
Louisa Earp
Louisa Earp is the wife of Morgan Earp of the famous Earp family. The two got married in secret and moved to Montana. One day, Morgan left Louisa and moved to Arizona without telling her. She had no idea that she was never going to see him again.
Navajo Tribespeople
These people set up a home base at an abandoned military post back in the Old Wild West. The Navajo Nation was known as the most wealthy of the Aboriginal tribes in the U.S. This photo was taken by Timothy O'Sullivan in 1873.
Doc Holliday
Doc Holliday was a well-known gunfighter during the Wild West era. He and Wyatt Earp were pretty good friends and got into all types of trouble together. He quickly gained his reputation as a deadly gunman after his first gunfight, so he kept that shtick up until he passed away.
Sterling Griffith
Sterling Griffith is the son of Goldie and Harry Griffith. Goldie was one of the roughest and toughest women in the Wild West and Harry was a popular Buffalo Bill performer. The two married and had a baby in 1913. They moved to Colorado and enjoyed a relatively normal life.
Photo by Timothy O'Sullivan
Famous photographer Timothy O'Sullivan took this photo. He was born in Staten Island, New York, and joined the geological survey team in 1871. He was able to take all of these amazing pictures of the Civil war.
Morgan Earp
Morgan Earp spent most of his time at Tombstone, Arizona roaming around with the Earp gang. All of the brothers had big targets on their backs. He did his best to avenge his brother, Wyatt after he was killed in an ambush. He successfully did so all on his own and all outside of the law.
Pagosa Hot Springs
This is the Pagosa Hot Springs in Colorado. This was a common place for cowboys and nomads to practice their personal hygiene. The mineral-packed waters were supposed to cure any and all ailments.
Buffalo Soldier
Bob Marley's famous song "Buffalo Soldier" is about the Buffalo Soldiers of the 10th Calvary of the US Army between 1866 and 1951. The term was given to Black soldiers by the Native Americans during the Indian Wars. The name stuck.
John C.H. Grabill
John C.H. Grabill is another fantastic photographer of the Wild West. He took this photo of a Deadwood Coach in the late 1800s. This stagecoach was popular with Buffalo Bill's troop.
Sturgis, South Dakota
This photo was taken in Sturgis, South Dakota by John C.H. Grabill. It was preserved at the Library of Congress. South Dakota's cowboys herded ox and big cows.
Rodeo Queens
These women were brave enough to infiltrate the overwhelmingly male-dominated world of rodeo. They called themselves the Rodeo Queens. Some of the most famous cowgirls were Calamity Jane, Dale Evans, and Annie Oakley.
Alfred A. Hart
Alfred A. Hart is another influential photographer from the Wild West. He was named the official photographer of the Western half of the transcontinental railroad in the 1860s. This photo was taken at Palisades, Nevada.
The Darkroom Wagon
For folks who don't know, back in the day, photos needed to be developed in a room that was completely dark. In order to preserve his photos and develop them as quickly as possible, he had to bring along his own light-tight cabin in order to develop the photos. That is dedication to the craft!
Black Canyon, Colorado
The Black Canyon in Colorado is located in Nevada and Arizona. In fact, the Hoover Dam was built right in the middle of the canyon. It's surrounded by mountains and filled with mineral-lush hot springs.
Utah Big Cottonwood Canyon
This is a photo of the Utah Big Cottonwood Canyon in Salt Lake City, Utah. It's one of the most popular places to go hiking, rock climbing, and camping.
Johnny Ringo
Johnny Ringo is best known for his involvement with the shooting of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. He was with a group called the Cochise County boys and were the ultimate menaces of their region of the Wild West.
Villa of Brule
This is a photograph of the Villa of Brule near Pine Ridge, South Dakota. This photo was taken in 1891 by John C.H. Grabill as he traveled with Native American tribes across the Great Planes.
Railroad Workers
Railroad construction was huge in the Wild West days. None of the expansion would have been possible without railroad workers! Sadly, many of the workers were exploited Chinese immigrants. They were overworked, sometimes to death. We have to pay a huge respect to those brave men!
Colorado Browns Park
This is a photo of the Colorado Browns Park located on the Utah Colorado Border. It was originally called Brown's Hole. This area was a huge safe spot for outlaws like Butch Cassidy and Tom Horn.
Gold Hill, Nevada
Gold Hill, Nevada is located just south of Virginia City. It was a popular spot for mining of the Comstock Lode. It used to be a booming mining city, but presently only has 191 residents.
Pyramid Lake, Nevada
Pyramid Lake, Nevada is naturally occurring at the Truckee River Basin in Reno. This lake is extremely salty, saltier than most. Plenty of battles have taken place on the shorelines.
Self Portrait of Timothy O'Sullivan
This is Timothy O'Sullivan, the man behind many of the Wild West photos. He found his love for photography during his cross-continental expedition and became one of the most renowned war photographers of his time.
Whirling Horse
Whirling Horse was another famous member of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. He would help reenact historical battles and perform Native dances for the audiences. He was a huge force in cooling the tensions between Native Americans and White expeditionsts.
Bath House Hot Springs
The Bath House Hot Springs in Arkansas was a popular spot for Native American Tribes. Apparently, the springs had medicinal properties. Now, it houses the oldest Federal Reserve in the states.
Shoshone Falls, Idaho
Timothy O'Sullivan captured this incredible shot of the Shoshone Falls in Idaho. Back in the day, these falls were referred to as the Niagara Falls of the West. It became a popular tourist attraction.
Bill Brazen
Bill Brazen was a bit of a weird guy. His full name was Whitney Brazelton, but went as Bill Brazen after he began committing robberies in the later half of the 19th Century. He wore his signature face mask (pictured above) to hide his identity. He was finally caught and shot to death in 1878.
The Anti-Saloon League
Women were not allowed to enjoy a drink at a saloon back in the Wild West days. A group of women formed the Anti-Saloon League which became the most powerful prohibition lobby in America. If they couldn't enjoy a drink, no one could!
Pear Heart
Pearl Heart was a woman that no one wanted to mess with. She gained her celebrity status after escaping from prison. Despite her criminal history, she had actually grown up in a wealthy family and was highly education. Who knows why she wanted to run alongside the outlaws?
Brothels and Madams
Most women weren't outlaws back in the day. They were either homemakers or Madams in the Wild West. Madams were highly respected individuals who ran brothels for cowboys. You did not want to mess with one of her girls.
Rotgut Liquor
Liquor was a delicacy back in the Wild West days. Saloon owners had to dilute their good liquor by adding other ingredients to it such as ammonia and turpentine. Why didn't they just use water instead of harsh cleaning chemicals?
The Ol' Cowboy Dance
Movies and tv shows have showcased cowboys shooting the floor to make people "dance," which i something that totally happened back in the day. Sometimes it was a game, other times it was a form of torture. Cowboys obviously like to take things to the extreme.
Rufus Buck Gang
The Rufus Buck Gang was a rare multi-racial gang. They were like any other outlaws, spending their days robbing stores and fighting with other gangs. All members ended up catching a death sentence after killing a US Marshall named John Garrett.
The Louisiana Purchase
The Wild West era begins roughly around the time of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. The Western expansion developed land west of the Mississippi River. Obviously, Native American tribes already conquered that land, so a lot of issues arose when people came about trying to steal the land.
California Gold Rush
Most images of the California Gold Rush showcase hundreds of men running around California in search for gold. Naturally, it wasn't only men who felt the greed overcome them. These two women were some of the most successful Gold Rushers. They picked up their families and moved to the West Coast in order to enrich themselves.
Annie Oakley In Her Prime
This is a photo of legendary sharp shooter Annie Oakley, her classic gun, and her tons of medals from previous victories. Annie was born on aug. 13, 1860 and passed away on Nov. 3, 1926.
Another Buffalo Bill Showrunner
Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show had a lot of famous showrunners. That included William Frederick Cody, or Buffalo Bill himself. He didn't just run the empire but also performed!
"Wild" Bill Hickok
Seems like Wild Bill but the "Wild" in Wild West. He's one of the most famous frontiersmen of the Wold West and gained his reputation through his incredible adventures. He was killed in 1876 while playing a game of poker.
Native American Culture
The Wild West era would be nothing without Native Americans. For the folks who didn't massacre entire tribes, they were enriched with culture and knowledge of the land. Men and women alike showed willing cowboys their way of life, which included similar responsibilities. Women were trained in hunting, rising horses, skinning leather, and using weapons just as well as the men were.
A Classic Tale
This photo showcases what life was like during the Louisiana Purchase expansion. Little House on the Prairie pretty much had it down, covered wagon and all!
Broncho Charlie Miller
Broncho Charlie Miller was one of the last remaining survivors of the Pony Express. He eventually became a popular performer of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.
Wild West Gunfighter
This is John Wilson Vermillion, aka Texas Jack. He worked with the Earps during their vendetta rides as they searched for outlaws. Obviously, he was a lethal weapon to them. He was notorious in the Wild West due to his apathetic method of hunting people down and getting into fights.