These authentic vintage photographs of the American frontier reveal what life was actually like in the “Wild West.”
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27 Annie Oakley Facts That Prove She Was The Wild West’s Biggest Badass
Inside The Life Of Calamity Jane, The Wild West’s Most Notorious Frontierswoman
47 Colorized Old West Photos That Bring The American Frontier To Life
1 of 49A covered wagon, the vehicle of the great western migration. This family will live in their wagon while they search for a new home on the untamed American frontier.
Loup Valley, Nebraska. 1886.National Archives 2 of 49A party leads their horses across the hot, slick rocks of Navajo Mountain.
Utah. 1909.National Archives 3 of 49Riders stop at a Native American reservation. A dog is being roasted over the cooking pot at Fort Belknap Reservation, Montana in 1906.Wikimedia Commons 4 of 49An abducted child among his Apache captors. When 11-year-old Jimmy McKinn was rescued and returned to his family, he fought it bitterly, wanting to stay among the Apache.
Arizona. 1886.Wikimedia Commons 5 of 49Real cowboys, of course, herded cows. Here, one readies his lasso as he looks out on his herd.
Genesee, Kansas. 1902.National Archives 6 of 49Cowboys branding a calf.
Montana. Date unspecified.Wikimedia Commons 7 of 49A massive haul of 40,000 buffalo hides stored in a hide yard.
Dodge City, Kansas. 1878.National Archives 8 of 49Coaches travel down a carriage road.
Pikes Peak, 1911.National Archives 9 of 49Outlaw John Sontag lies dying on the ground after a shootout with a posse.
Stone Corral, California. 1893.National Archives 10 of 49A mountainside camp set up for miners.
San Juan County, Colorado. 1875.National Archives 11 of 49John Heath, after joining in a robbery that turned into a massacre, is lynched by a mob.
Tombstone, Arizona. 1884.National Archives 12 of 49Buckboard wagons cross a river.
San Carlos, Arizona. 1885.National Archives 13 of 49A rider in the desert refills his keg with water from a well.
Arizona. 1907.National Archives 14 of 49Apaches, including the war hero Geronimo, after their surrender to General Miles. The train behind them will carry them into exile.
Nueces River, Texas. 1886National Archives 15 of 49Hauling water across the countryside.
Encinal, Texas. 1905.National Archives 16 of 49Men gamble over a game of Faro inside a saloon.
Bisbee, Arizona. 1900.Wikimedia Commons 17 of 49A man, at the site of a new town, looks for a lot.
Guthrie, Oklahoma. 1889.National Archives 18 of 49The first blacksmith shop in town.
Guthrie, Oklahoma. 1889.National Archives 19 of 49Land in a new territory is auctioned off in this tent.
California. 1904.National Archives 20 of 49The first house built in Dodge City, a sod home built in 1872.
Dodge City, Kansas. 1913.Wikimedia Commons 21 of 49Men outside a crude ranch play poker.
Arizona. Circa 1887-1889.National Archives 22 of 49Inside a bar at the Table Bluff Hotel and Saloon.
Humboldt County, California. 1889.Wikimedia Commons 23 of 49A town starts to grow. The crowd that has gathered is bidding on land that is being auctioned off.
Anadarko, Oklahoma. 1901.National Archives 24 of 49Men lay down track for a new railroad, connecting the wild frontier with the world.
Arizona. 1898.National Archives 25 of 49A gold rush town in Dakota.
Deadwood, Dakota. 1876.National Archives 26 of 49A little girl feeds the chickens.
Sun River, Montana. 1910.National Archives 27 of 49A family outside their home. A Native American servant holds their child.
New Mexico. 1895.National Archives 28 of 49A saloon on the streets of an Old West town.
Hazen, Nevada. 1905.National Archives 29 of 49The Klondyke Dance Hall and saloon.
Seattle, Washington. 1909.Wikimedia Commons 30 of 49Typical downtown street of a town on the American frontier.
Corinne, Utah. 1869.National Archives 31 of 49A cow carries seven children to school. The caption, whether in jest or in earnest, claims that carrying the children to school is this cow’s “daily duty.”
Okanogan, Washington. 1907.National Archives 32 of 49A teacher and her students stand in front of a sod schoolhouse.
Woods County, Oklahoma. 1895.National Archives 33 of 49A town gets flowing water for the first time.
Perry, Oklahoma. 1893.National Archives 34 of 49Correspondent Fred W. Loring poses in front of his mule before heading back home to write about what he’d seen out west. Loring was killed by Apaches less than 48 hours after this picture was taken.
San Bernadino, California. 1871.National Archives 35 of 49A Pony Express rider on horseback.
1861.National Archives 36 of 49Cowboys herd cattle across a river.
Missouri. 1910.Wikimedia Commons 37 of 49A group of trappers and hunters outside their cabin.
Brown’s Basin, Arizona. 1908.National Archives 38 of 49Mine workers coming out of the mine shaft.
Virginia City, Nevada. Circa 1867-1888.National Archives 39 of 49Men cork champagne at the Buena Vista Vinicultural Society.
Sonoma, California. Circa 1870-1879.National Archives 40 of 49A fishing camp set up by some Chinese settlers of the American frontier.
Point San Pedro, California. 1889.National Archives 41 of 49Shoshone tribe members dance on a Native American reservation while soldiers look on.
Ft. Washakie, Wyoming. 1892.National Archives 42 of 49Apaches deliver hay to American settlers.
Fort Apache, Arizona. 1893.National Archives 43 of 49An Indian Training School teaches blacksmithing.
Forest Grove, Oregon. 1882.National Archives 44 of 49Judge Roy Bean’s courthouse, which doubled as a saloon.
Langtry, Texas. 1900.National Archives 45 of 49Cheyenne natives, after trying to escape from their reservation and return to their home land, are held prisoner.
Kansas. 1879.Wikimedia Commons 46 of 49The execution of a man on the gallows.
Prescott, Arizona. 1877.National Archives 47 of 49U.S. Deputy Marshalls pose with the clerical force.
Perry, Oklahoma. 1893.National Archives 48 of 49A sand storm moves across farmland.
Midland, Texas. 1894.National Archives 49 of 49Like this gallery?Share it:
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48 Snapshots Of Life In The Real Wild West View Gallery
The American frontier holds a mythic space in our imaginations. And because of that, it’s a place we envision more through the stories of the Wild West than through its actual history.
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And if you liked this post, be sure to check out these popular posts:
27 Annie Oakley Facts That Prove She Was The Wild West’s Biggest Badass
Inside The Life Of Calamity Jane, The Wild West’s Most Notorious Frontierswoman
47 Colorized Old West Photos That Bring The American Frontier To Life
1 of 49A covered wagon, the vehicle of the great western migration. This family will live in their wagon while they search for a new home on the untamed American frontier.
Loup Valley, Nebraska. 1886.National Archives 2 of 49A party leads their horses across the hot, slick rocks of Navajo Mountain.
Utah. 1909.National Archives 3 of 49Riders stop at a Native American reservation. A dog is being roasted over the cooking pot at Fort Belknap Reservation, Montana in 1906.Wikimedia Commons 4 of 49An abducted child among his Apache captors. When 11-year-old Jimmy McKinn was rescued and returned to his family, he fought it bitterly, wanting to stay among the Apache.
Arizona. 1886.Wikimedia Commons 5 of 49Real cowboys, of course, herded cows. Here, one readies his lasso as he looks out on his herd.
Genesee, Kansas. 1902.National Archives 6 of 49Cowboys branding a calf.
Montana. Date unspecified.Wikimedia Commons 7 of 49A massive haul of 40,000 buffalo hides stored in a hide yard.
Dodge City, Kansas. 1878.National Archives 8 of 49Coaches travel down a carriage road.
Pikes Peak, 1911.National Archives 9 of 49Outlaw John Sontag lies dying on the ground after a shootout with a posse.
Stone Corral, California. 1893.National Archives 10 of 49A mountainside camp set up for miners.
San Juan County, Colorado. 1875.National Archives 11 of 49John Heath, after joining in a robbery that turned into a massacre, is lynched by a mob.
Tombstone, Arizona. 1884.National Archives 12 of 49Buckboard wagons cross a river.
San Carlos, Arizona. 1885.National Archives 13 of 49A rider in the desert refills his keg with water from a well.
Arizona. 1907.National Archives 14 of 49Apaches, including the war hero Geronimo, after their surrender to General Miles. The train behind them will carry them into exile.
Nueces River, Texas. 1886National Archives 15 of 49Hauling water across the countryside.
Encinal, Texas. 1905.National Archives 16 of 49Men gamble over a game of Faro inside a saloon.
Bisbee, Arizona. 1900.Wikimedia Commons 17 of 49A man, at the site of a new town, looks for a lot.
Guthrie, Oklahoma. 1889.National Archives 18 of 49The first blacksmith shop in town.
Guthrie, Oklahoma. 1889.National Archives 19 of 49Land in a new territory is auctioned off in this tent.
California. 1904.National Archives 20 of 49The first house built in Dodge City, a sod home built in 1872.
Dodge City, Kansas. 1913.Wikimedia Commons 21 of 49Men outside a crude ranch play poker.
Arizona. Circa 1887-1889.National Archives 22 of 49Inside a bar at the Table Bluff Hotel and Saloon.
Humboldt County, California. 1889.Wikimedia Commons 23 of 49A town starts to grow. The crowd that has gathered is bidding on land that is being auctioned off.
Anadarko, Oklahoma. 1901.National Archives 24 of 49Men lay down track for a new railroad, connecting the wild frontier with the world.
Arizona. 1898.National Archives 25 of 49A gold rush town in Dakota.
Deadwood, Dakota. 1876.National Archives 26 of 49A little girl feeds the chickens.
Sun River, Montana. 1910.National Archives 27 of 49A family outside their home. A Native American servant holds their child.
New Mexico. 1895.National Archives 28 of 49A saloon on the streets of an Old West town.
Hazen, Nevada. 1905.National Archives 29 of 49The Klondyke Dance Hall and saloon.
Seattle, Washington. 1909.Wikimedia Commons 30 of 49Typical downtown street of a town on the American frontier.
Corinne, Utah. 1869.National Archives 31 of 49A cow carries seven children to school. The caption, whether in jest or in earnest, claims that carrying the children to school is this cow’s “daily duty.”
Okanogan, Washington. 1907.National Archives 32 of 49A teacher and her students stand in front of a sod schoolhouse.
Woods County, Oklahoma. 1895.National Archives 33 of 49A town gets flowing water for the first time.
Perry, Oklahoma. 1893.National Archives 34 of 49Correspondent Fred W. Loring poses in front of his mule before heading back home to write about what he’d seen out west. Loring was killed by Apaches less than 48 hours after this picture was taken.
San Bernadino, California. 1871.National Archives 35 of 49A Pony Express rider on horseback.
1861.National Archives 36 of 49Cowboys herd cattle across a river.
Missouri. 1910.Wikimedia Commons 37 of 49A group of trappers and hunters outside their cabin.
Brown’s Basin, Arizona. 1908.National Archives 38 of 49Mine workers coming out of the mine shaft.
Virginia City, Nevada. Circa 1867-1888.National Archives 39 of 49Men cork champagne at the Buena Vista Vinicultural Society.
Sonoma, California. Circa 1870-1879.National Archives 40 of 49A fishing camp set up by some Chinese settlers of the American frontier.
Point San Pedro, California. 1889.National Archives 41 of 49Shoshone tribe members dance on a Native American reservation while soldiers look on.
Ft. Washakie, Wyoming. 1892.National Archives 42 of 49Apaches deliver hay to American settlers.
Fort Apache, Arizona. 1893.National Archives 43 of 49An Indian Training School teaches blacksmithing.
Forest Grove, Oregon. 1882.National Archives 44 of 49Judge Roy Bean’s courthouse, which doubled as a saloon.
Langtry, Texas. 1900.National Archives 45 of 49Cheyenne natives, after trying to escape from their reservation and return to their home land, are held prisoner.
Kansas. 1879.Wikimedia Commons 46 of 49The execution of a man on the gallows.
Prescott, Arizona. 1877.National Archives 47 of 49U.S. Deputy Marshalls pose with the clerical force.
Perry, Oklahoma. 1893.National Archives 48 of 49A sand storm moves across farmland.
Midland, Texas. 1894.National Archives 49 of 49Like this gallery?Share it:
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And if you liked this post, be sure to check out these popular posts:
27 Annie Oakley Facts That Prove She Was The Wild West’s Biggest Badass
Inside The Life Of Calamity Jane, The Wild West’s Most Notorious Frontierswoman
47 Colorized Old West Photos That Bring The American Frontier To Life
1 of 49A covered wagon, the vehicle of the great western migration. This family will live in their wagon while they search for a new home on the untamed American frontier.
Loup Valley, Nebraska. 1886.National Archives 2 of 49A party leads their horses across the hot, slick rocks of Navajo Mountain.
Utah. 1909.National Archives 3 of 49Riders stop at a Native American reservation. A dog is being roasted over the cooking pot at Fort Belknap Reservation, Montana in 1906.Wikimedia Commons 4 of 49An abducted child among his Apache captors. When 11-year-old Jimmy McKinn was rescued and returned to his family, he fought it bitterly, wanting to stay among the Apache.
Arizona. 1886.Wikimedia Commons 5 of 49Real cowboys, of course, herded cows. Here, one readies his lasso as he looks out on his herd.
Genesee, Kansas. 1902.National Archives 6 of 49Cowboys branding a calf.
Montana. Date unspecified.Wikimedia Commons 7 of 49A massive haul of 40,000 buffalo hides stored in a hide yard.
Dodge City, Kansas. 1878.National Archives 8 of 49Coaches travel down a carriage road.
Pikes Peak, 1911.National Archives 9 of 49Outlaw John Sontag lies dying on the ground after a shootout with a posse.
Stone Corral, California. 1893.National Archives 10 of 49A mountainside camp set up for miners.
San Juan County, Colorado. 1875.National Archives 11 of 49John Heath, after joining in a robbery that turned into a massacre, is lynched by a mob.
Tombstone, Arizona. 1884.National Archives 12 of 49Buckboard wagons cross a river.
San Carlos, Arizona. 1885.National Archives 13 of 49A rider in the desert refills his keg with water from a well.
Arizona. 1907.National Archives 14 of 49Apaches, including the war hero Geronimo, after their surrender to General Miles. The train behind them will carry them into exile.
Nueces River, Texas. 1886National Archives 15 of 49Hauling water across the countryside.
Encinal, Texas. 1905.National Archives 16 of 49Men gamble over a game of Faro inside a saloon.
Bisbee, Arizona. 1900.Wikimedia Commons 17 of 49A man, at the site of a new town, looks for a lot.
Guthrie, Oklahoma. 1889.National Archives 18 of 49The first blacksmith shop in town.
Guthrie, Oklahoma. 1889.National Archives 19 of 49Land in a new territory is auctioned off in this tent.
California. 1904.National Archives 20 of 49The first house built in Dodge City, a sod home built in 1872.
Dodge City, Kansas. 1913.Wikimedia Commons 21 of 49Men outside a crude ranch play poker.
Arizona. Circa 1887-1889.National Archives 22 of 49Inside a bar at the Table Bluff Hotel and Saloon.
Humboldt County, California. 1889.Wikimedia Commons 23 of 49A town starts to grow. The crowd that has gathered is bidding on land that is being auctioned off.
Anadarko, Oklahoma. 1901.National Archives 24 of 49Men lay down track for a new railroad, connecting the wild frontier with the world.
Arizona. 1898.National Archives 25 of 49A gold rush town in Dakota.
Deadwood, Dakota. 1876.National Archives 26 of 49A little girl feeds the chickens.
Sun River, Montana. 1910.National Archives 27 of 49A family outside their home. A Native American servant holds their child.
New Mexico. 1895.National Archives 28 of 49A saloon on the streets of an Old West town.
Hazen, Nevada. 1905.National Archives 29 of 49The Klondyke Dance Hall and saloon.
Seattle, Washington. 1909.Wikimedia Commons 30 of 49Typical downtown street of a town on the American frontier.
Corinne, Utah. 1869.National Archives 31 of 49A cow carries seven children to school. The caption, whether in jest or in earnest, claims that carrying the children to school is this cow’s “daily duty.”
Okanogan, Washington. 1907.National Archives 32 of 49A teacher and her students stand in front of a sod schoolhouse.
Woods County, Oklahoma. 1895.National Archives 33 of 49A town gets flowing water for the first time.
Perry, Oklahoma. 1893.National Archives 34 of 49Correspondent Fred W. Loring poses in front of his mule before heading back home to write about what he’d seen out west. Loring was killed by Apaches less than 48 hours after this picture was taken.
San Bernadino, California. 1871.National Archives 35 of 49A Pony Express rider on horseback.
1861.National Archives 36 of 49Cowboys herd cattle across a river.
Missouri. 1910.Wikimedia Commons 37 of 49A group of trappers and hunters outside their cabin.
Brown’s Basin, Arizona. 1908.National Archives 38 of 49Mine workers coming out of the mine shaft.
Virginia City, Nevada. Circa 1867-1888.National Archives 39 of 49Men cork champagne at the Buena Vista Vinicultural Society.
Sonoma, California. Circa 1870-1879.National Archives 40 of 49A fishing camp set up by some Chinese settlers of the American frontier.
Point San Pedro, California. 1889.National Archives 41 of 49Shoshone tribe members dance on a Native American reservation while soldiers look on.
Ft. Washakie, Wyoming. 1892.National Archives 42 of 49Apaches deliver hay to American settlers.
Fort Apache, Arizona. 1893.National Archives 43 of 49An Indian Training School teaches blacksmithing.
Forest Grove, Oregon. 1882.National Archives 44 of 49Judge Roy Bean’s courthouse, which doubled as a saloon.
Langtry, Texas. 1900.National Archives 45 of 49Cheyenne natives, after trying to escape from their reservation and return to their home land, are held prisoner.
Kansas. 1879.Wikimedia Commons 46 of 49The execution of a man on the gallows.
Prescott, Arizona. 1877.National Archives 47 of 49U.S. Deputy Marshalls pose with the clerical force.
Perry, Oklahoma. 1893.National Archives 48 of 49A sand storm moves across farmland.
Midland, Texas. 1894.National Archives 49 of 49Like this gallery?Share it:
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And if you liked this post, be sure to check out these popular posts:
27 Annie Oakley Facts That Prove She Was The Wild West’s Biggest Badass
Inside The Life Of Calamity Jane, The Wild West’s Most Notorious Frontierswoman
47 Colorized Old West Photos That Bring The American Frontier To Life
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1 of 49A covered wagon, the vehicle of the great western migration. This family will live in their wagon while they search for a new home on the untamed American frontier.
Loup Valley, Nebraska. 1886.National Archives 2 of 49A party leads their horses across the hot, slick rocks of Navajo Mountain.
Utah. 1909.National Archives 3 of 49Riders stop at a Native American reservation. A dog is being roasted over the cooking pot at Fort Belknap Reservation, Montana in 1906.Wikimedia Commons 4 of 49An abducted child among his Apache captors. When 11-year-old Jimmy McKinn was rescued and returned to his family, he fought it bitterly, wanting to stay among the Apache.
Arizona. 1886.Wikimedia Commons 5 of 49Real cowboys, of course, herded cows. Here, one readies his lasso as he looks out on his herd.
Genesee, Kansas. 1902.National Archives 6 of 49Cowboys branding a calf.
Montana. Date unspecified.Wikimedia Commons 7 of 49A massive haul of 40,000 buffalo hides stored in a hide yard.
Dodge City, Kansas. 1878.National Archives 8 of 49Coaches travel down a carriage road.
Pikes Peak, 1911.National Archives 9 of 49Outlaw John Sontag lies dying on the ground after a shootout with a posse.
Stone Corral, California. 1893.National Archives 10 of 49A mountainside camp set up for miners.
San Juan County, Colorado. 1875.National Archives 11 of 49John Heath, after joining in a robbery that turned into a massacre, is lynched by a mob.
Tombstone, Arizona. 1884.National Archives 12 of 49Buckboard wagons cross a river.
San Carlos, Arizona. 1885.National Archives 13 of 49A rider in the desert refills his keg with water from a well.
Arizona. 1907.National Archives 14 of 49Apaches, including the war hero Geronimo, after their surrender to General Miles. The train behind them will carry them into exile.
Nueces River, Texas. 1886National Archives 15 of 49Hauling water across the countryside.
Encinal, Texas. 1905.National Archives 16 of 49Men gamble over a game of Faro inside a saloon.
Bisbee, Arizona. 1900.Wikimedia Commons 17 of 49A man, at the site of a new town, looks for a lot.
Guthrie, Oklahoma. 1889.National Archives 18 of 49The first blacksmith shop in town.
Guthrie, Oklahoma. 1889.National Archives 19 of 49Land in a new territory is auctioned off in this tent.
California. 1904.National Archives 20 of 49The first house built in Dodge City, a sod home built in 1872.
Dodge City, Kansas. 1913.Wikimedia Commons 21 of 49Men outside a crude ranch play poker.
Arizona. Circa 1887-1889.National Archives 22 of 49Inside a bar at the Table Bluff Hotel and Saloon.
Humboldt County, California. 1889.Wikimedia Commons 23 of 49A town starts to grow. The crowd that has gathered is bidding on land that is being auctioned off.
Anadarko, Oklahoma. 1901.National Archives 24 of 49Men lay down track for a new railroad, connecting the wild frontier with the world.
Arizona. 1898.National Archives 25 of 49A gold rush town in Dakota.
Deadwood, Dakota. 1876.National Archives 26 of 49A little girl feeds the chickens.
Sun River, Montana. 1910.National Archives 27 of 49A family outside their home. A Native American servant holds their child.
New Mexico. 1895.National Archives 28 of 49A saloon on the streets of an Old West town.
Hazen, Nevada. 1905.National Archives 29 of 49The Klondyke Dance Hall and saloon.
Seattle, Washington. 1909.Wikimedia Commons 30 of 49Typical downtown street of a town on the American frontier.
Corinne, Utah. 1869.National Archives 31 of 49A cow carries seven children to school. The caption, whether in jest or in earnest, claims that carrying the children to school is this cow’s “daily duty.”
Okanogan, Washington. 1907.National Archives 32 of 49A teacher and her students stand in front of a sod schoolhouse.
Woods County, Oklahoma. 1895.National Archives 33 of 49A town gets flowing water for the first time.
Perry, Oklahoma. 1893.National Archives 34 of 49Correspondent Fred W. Loring poses in front of his mule before heading back home to write about what he’d seen out west. Loring was killed by Apaches less than 48 hours after this picture was taken.
San Bernadino, California. 1871.National Archives 35 of 49A Pony Express rider on horseback.
1861.National Archives 36 of 49Cowboys herd cattle across a river.
Missouri. 1910.Wikimedia Commons 37 of 49A group of trappers and hunters outside their cabin.
Brown’s Basin, Arizona. 1908.National Archives 38 of 49Mine workers coming out of the mine shaft.
Virginia City, Nevada. Circa 1867-1888.National Archives 39 of 49Men cork champagne at the Buena Vista Vinicultural Society.
Sonoma, California. Circa 1870-1879.National Archives 40 of 49A fishing camp set up by some Chinese settlers of the American frontier.
Point San Pedro, California. 1889.National Archives 41 of 49Shoshone tribe members dance on a Native American reservation while soldiers look on.
Ft. Washakie, Wyoming. 1892.National Archives 42 of 49Apaches deliver hay to American settlers.
Fort Apache, Arizona. 1893.National Archives 43 of 49An Indian Training School teaches blacksmithing.
Forest Grove, Oregon. 1882.National Archives 44 of 49Judge Roy Bean’s courthouse, which doubled as a saloon.
Langtry, Texas. 1900.National Archives 45 of 49Cheyenne natives, after trying to escape from their reservation and return to their home land, are held prisoner.
Kansas. 1879.Wikimedia Commons 46 of 49The execution of a man on the gallows.
Prescott, Arizona. 1877.National Archives 47 of 49U.S. Deputy Marshalls pose with the clerical force.
Perry, Oklahoma. 1893.National Archives 48 of 49A sand storm moves across farmland.
Midland, Texas. 1894.National Archives 49 of 49Like this gallery?Share it:
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1 of 49A covered wagon, the vehicle of the great western migration. This family will live in their wagon while they search for a new home on the untamed American frontier.
Loup Valley, Nebraska. 1886.National Archives
2 of 49A party leads their horses across the hot, slick rocks of Navajo Mountain.
Utah. 1909.National Archives
3 of 49Riders stop at a Native American reservation. A dog is being roasted over the cooking pot at Fort Belknap Reservation, Montana in 1906.Wikimedia Commons
4 of 49An abducted child among his Apache captors. When 11-year-old Jimmy McKinn was rescued and returned to his family, he fought it bitterly, wanting to stay among the Apache.
Arizona. 1886.Wikimedia Commons
5 of 49Real cowboys, of course, herded cows. Here, one readies his lasso as he looks out on his herd.
Genesee, Kansas. 1902.National Archives
6 of 49Cowboys branding a calf.
Montana. Date unspecified.Wikimedia Commons
7 of 49A massive haul of 40,000 buffalo hides stored in a hide yard.
Dodge City, Kansas. 1878.National Archives
8 of 49Coaches travel down a carriage road.
Pikes Peak, 1911.National Archives
9 of 49Outlaw John Sontag lies dying on the ground after a shootout with a posse.
Stone Corral, California. 1893.National Archives
10 of 49A mountainside camp set up for miners.
San Juan County, Colorado. 1875.National Archives
11 of 49John Heath, after joining in a robbery that turned into a massacre, is lynched by a mob.
Tombstone, Arizona. 1884.National Archives
12 of 49Buckboard wagons cross a river.
San Carlos, Arizona. 1885.National Archives
13 of 49A rider in the desert refills his keg with water from a well.
Arizona. 1907.National Archives
14 of 49Apaches, including the war hero Geronimo, after their surrender to General Miles. The train behind them will carry them into exile.
Nueces River, Texas. 1886National Archives
15 of 49Hauling water across the countryside.
Encinal, Texas. 1905.National Archives
16 of 49Men gamble over a game of Faro inside a saloon.
Bisbee, Arizona. 1900.Wikimedia Commons
17 of 49A man, at the site of a new town, looks for a lot.
Guthrie, Oklahoma. 1889.National Archives
18 of 49The first blacksmith shop in town.
Guthrie, Oklahoma. 1889.National Archives
19 of 49Land in a new territory is auctioned off in this tent.
California. 1904.National Archives
20 of 49The first house built in Dodge City, a sod home built in 1872.
Dodge City, Kansas. 1913.Wikimedia Commons
21 of 49Men outside a crude ranch play poker.
Arizona. Circa 1887-1889.National Archives
22 of 49Inside a bar at the Table Bluff Hotel and Saloon.
Humboldt County, California. 1889.Wikimedia Commons
23 of 49A town starts to grow. The crowd that has gathered is bidding on land that is being auctioned off.
Anadarko, Oklahoma. 1901.National Archives
24 of 49Men lay down track for a new railroad, connecting the wild frontier with the world.
Arizona. 1898.National Archives
25 of 49A gold rush town in Dakota.
Deadwood, Dakota. 1876.National Archives
26 of 49A little girl feeds the chickens.
Sun River, Montana. 1910.National Archives
27 of 49A family outside their home. A Native American servant holds their child.
New Mexico. 1895.National Archives
28 of 49A saloon on the streets of an Old West town.
Hazen, Nevada. 1905.National Archives
29 of 49The Klondyke Dance Hall and saloon.
Seattle, Washington. 1909.Wikimedia Commons
30 of 49Typical downtown street of a town on the American frontier.
Corinne, Utah. 1869.National Archives
31 of 49A cow carries seven children to school. The caption, whether in jest or in earnest, claims that carrying the children to school is this cow’s “daily duty.”
Okanogan, Washington. 1907.National Archives
32 of 49A teacher and her students stand in front of a sod schoolhouse.
Woods County, Oklahoma. 1895.National Archives
33 of 49A town gets flowing water for the first time.
Perry, Oklahoma. 1893.National Archives
34 of 49Correspondent Fred W. Loring poses in front of his mule before heading back home to write about what he’d seen out west. Loring was killed by Apaches less than 48 hours after this picture was taken.
San Bernadino, California. 1871.National Archives
35 of 49A Pony Express rider on horseback.
1861.National Archives
36 of 49Cowboys herd cattle across a river.
Missouri. 1910.Wikimedia Commons
37 of 49A group of trappers and hunters outside their cabin.
Brown’s Basin, Arizona. 1908.National Archives
38 of 49Mine workers coming out of the mine shaft.
Virginia City, Nevada. Circa 1867-1888.National Archives
39 of 49Men cork champagne at the Buena Vista Vinicultural Society.
Sonoma, California. Circa 1870-1879.National Archives
40 of 49A fishing camp set up by some Chinese settlers of the American frontier.
Point San Pedro, California. 1889.National Archives
41 of 49Shoshone tribe members dance on a Native American reservation while soldiers look on.
Ft. Washakie, Wyoming. 1892.National Archives
42 of 49Apaches deliver hay to American settlers.
Fort Apache, Arizona. 1893.National Archives
43 of 49An Indian Training School teaches blacksmithing.
Forest Grove, Oregon. 1882.National Archives
44 of 49Judge Roy Bean’s courthouse, which doubled as a saloon.
Langtry, Texas. 1900.National Archives
45 of 49Cheyenne natives, after trying to escape from their reservation and return to their home land, are held prisoner.
Kansas. 1879.Wikimedia Commons
46 of 49The execution of a man on the gallows.
Prescott, Arizona. 1877.National Archives
47 of 49U.S. Deputy Marshalls pose with the clerical force.
Perry, Oklahoma. 1893.National Archives
48 of 49A sand storm moves across farmland.
Midland, Texas. 1894.National Archives
49 of 49Like this gallery?Share it:
Share
48 Snapshots Of Life In The Real Wild West View Gallery
48 Snapshots Of Life In The Real Wild West View Gallery
48 Snapshots Of Life In The Real Wild West View Gallery
48 Snapshots Of Life In The Real Wild West View Gallery
48 Snapshots Of Life In The Real Wild West
View Gallery
The real American frontier wasn’t always as dramatic as it’s made out to be in films, but it was a dangerous place, an untamed land. The settlers who traveled out West in the late 19th and early 20th centuries had to live in defiance of nature and the elements without the comforts of civilization.
Whole families would gather together in wagons and ride off into the unknown, sometimes spending months living in the carriages that pulled them westward. Men, women, and children alike would endure as they crossed over mountains, across rivers, and through deserts in search of a new home and a better life.
When they arrived, they lived in houses built with their own two hands. They had to fend for water and food on their own and set up the very infrastructures of their new towns. Some made their way by working on ranches and farms, others by trapping and trading fur, and some by toiling deep in the mines of the new American frontier.
Life was full of dangers. Sandstorms, tornados, and hurricanes plagued their ramshackle homes. The natives of the land fought to keep it their own. And when lawlessness rose its head, men had to take justice into their own hands.
Wild West has become a legend, but the real world of the American frontier played out just a short time ago. It’s recent enough that we even have photographs of the families that traveled out and the lives they made, little glimpses into life in the real Wild West.
Next, learn about the most iconic men and women of the Wild West and see the newly unearthed photo of Billy the Kid, just the second of its kind in existence.
