Category Archives: American West

The Whirlwind Romance of Will and Lulu

Louisa’s mad, And I am glad, And I know how to please her! A bottle of wine To make her fine And her handsome beau to squeeze her! So taunted the children on the sidewalk by the home of Louisa … Continue reading

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Finding Hijab Leadership Stories in Cowboy Country

Dr. Sajaudeen Nijamodeen Chapparban, Assistant Professor of Diaspora Studies at Central University of Gujarat, India, was awarded the 2024 Women in Public Life Fellowship to research “The Leadership in Hijab: A Study of Muslim Women Leaders, Writers, and Celebrities in … Continue reading

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Fossils, Fame, and the Frontier: The Story of William Harlow Reed

In the annals of American paleontology, William Harlow Reed occupies a unique place—a self-taught fossil hunter whose keen eye and determination helped shape our understanding of the prehistoric West. Through his groundbreaking work at Como Bluff, Reed was instrumental in … Continue reading

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Rethinking Ranchers and Government: A Fresh Look at an Old Debate

For decades, the conventional wisdom has portrayed Western ranchers as caught in a paradox—an industry built on independence that criticized federal regulation while relying on government programs. It’s become the accepted narrative—and according to Dr. Tim Gresham, it misses the … Continue reading

Posted in Agricultural history, Agriculture, American history, American West, Cattle industry, Ranch history, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Little House on the Prairie

This western historical television drama was based on bestselling books by Laura Ingalls (1867-1957). NBC picked it up 50 years ago in 1974 and the television series ran until March 21, 1983. This western historical television drama was based on … Continue reading

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The Mail Must Go Through!

A rider and his horse thunder into view over the desert horizon, barreling towards the way-station where water and a fresh horse await. As the rider leaps off his horse and onto another, his mail bag swinging from his hand, … Continue reading

Posted in 19th century, American history, American West, Transportation history, Uncategorized, Western history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Eyewitness to Racism: Andrew Bugas and the Rock Springs Massacre of 1885

Andrew Bugas (Andrej Bugos) was not quite 20 years old in 1885 when he arrived in Rock Springs to work in the Union Pacific’s coal mines. Born in Austria, he came to the United States in 1880 to join his … Continue reading

Posted in American West, Chinese Americans, Coal industry, found in the archive, International relations, Labor disputes, Local history, mining history, Racism, Railroad History, Rock Springs Massacre, Uncategorized, Violence - history, Western history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wyoming statehood:  A load of “blatherskitism”?

Wyoming’s entry into the Union occurred on July 10, 1890, but not all of our territorial predecessors were enthusiastic in the years leading up to that historic event. Political machinations and ambitions were at play. Leading the charge for statehood … Continue reading

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The Infamous Johnson County War – The papers of Fred G.S. Hesse

On the morning of April 9, 1892, small-time rancher Nate Champion and itinerant cowboy Nick Ray were beset by an army of cattlemen and Texas hired guns, numbering about fifty, who had come to Johnson County to clear out the … Continue reading

Posted in American West, Cattle industry, Johnson County, Ranch history, Uncategorized, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Digitized Trail Diary Now Available!

Are you interested in learning more about westward expansion during the 1850s? If so, you’ll be interested to learn that University of Wyoming’s American Heritage Center (AHC) has digitized and made accessible online the diary and 2 transcripts of the … Continue reading

Posted in 19th century, American history, American West, newly digitized collections, Oregon trail, Western history, Westward migration | Tagged , , | Leave a comment