Category Archives: Western history

Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

The month of May is a time to celebrate the history, traditions, cultures, and contributions of all Asian American and Pacific Islander immigrants and citizens in the United States. This month was chosen because it commemorates the immigration of the … Continue reading

Posted in Asian American history, Immigration, Japanese internment, Racism, Uncategorized, Western history, World War II, Wyoming history | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Mable Wyoming Cheney Moudy

Mable Wyoming Cheney was born on May 2, 1878, in Atlantic City, near South Pass, Wyoming. Her father, Ervin F. Cheney (1844-1922), came west to Fort Sanders as a soldier after the Civil War. He helped survey the town of … Continue reading

Posted in Laramie, Uncategorized, University of Wyoming history, Western history, women's history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Caroline Lockhart: Cody’s Wild West Woman

In honor of Women’s History Month, let’s explore the life and times of one Caroline Lockhart! Caroline Lockhart, born February 24, 1871, is just one of Wyoming’s many famous women. She moved to Cody, Wyoming, in 1904 and remained there … Continue reading

Posted in Rodeo history, Uncategorized, Western history, women's history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Grand Teton National Park and the Jackson Hole National Monument Controversy

Grand Teton National Park – one of the most beautiful spots in Wyoming – turns 93 on February 26. It was originally a Native American hunting ground. British and American fur traders were drawn to the area for its exceptionally … Continue reading

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The Last of the Great Train Bandits – Bill Carlisle

February 9th marks the 106th anniversary of William L. “Bill” Carlisle’s first train robbery, which took place in 1916 outside Green River. It was a sensational event in the state, all the more notable as it was thought that the … Continue reading

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More Bang for Your Buck: Jesse James and the James-Younger Gang

The name “Jesse James” conjures up the quintessential images of the Wild West—dusty towns, saloons with creaky floorboards, gun fights, and a sheriff’s posse chasing outlaws across the rugged landscape. As one of the most infamous outlaws of all time, … Continue reading

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Howard Hays: Impresario of the Parks

Howard H. Hays (1883-1969) was an entrepreneur whose career ranged from driving surreys in Yellowstone National Park to running a newspaper publishing company in Riverside, California. A native of Metropolis, Illinois, Hays attended college in his home state before moving … Continue reading

Posted in National Parks, Recreation, Tourism, Uncategorized, Western history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The End of the Line for George Parrott

George Francis Warden, aka “George Parrott” and “Big Nose George,” was an outlaw in Wyoming and Montana in the late 1800s. Although he wasn’t a very successful bandit, he became famous in Wild West history due to how his outlaw … Continue reading

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Joseph S. Palen: Cheyenne Frontier Days Chronicler

If you’re interested in the history of Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD), a great place to start is the J. S. Palen papers at the American Heritage Center. Born in 1912 in Salina, Kansas, Palen became fascinated with cowboy culture at … Continue reading

Posted in Agricultural history, Current events, popular culture, Ranch history, Rodeo history, Uncategorized, Western history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

The Good Kind of Desert Dust

If you’ve spent any time driving through Wyoming, you’ve probably seen huge herds of wild horses on the roadside. These beautiful animals are an icon of the American West, and Frank “Wild Horse” Robbins spent his whole life working with … Continue reading

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