Wyoming and the Old West

 Few people even know the true definition of the term “West”; and where is its location? – phantom-like it flies before us as we travel.  George Catlin

We often see mention of the West, the Old West, and the Wild West. Are they the same? Well, yes and no.

I know a great answer.

 

The West - Many historians, including myself, like to use the 98^th Meridian as the beginning of the west. This line would be drawn from San Antonio, Texas north through Fort Worth and Oklahoma City. From there, it cuts through the middle of  Kansas and Nebraska, passes Pierre, South Dakota, and then through Bismarck in North Dakota. Confusing? Yes, but manageable if you pull out a nice map.

 

I like this area for the beginning of the west because this is generally the area where farming gives way to ranching, rainfall dependable to arid.

The Old West – The old West period didn’t last long, generally from the Civil War until 1890 and the Wounded Knee Massacre. It was also the time of most of the Indian Wars of the west. This period was a time of rapid settlement throughout the west. It brought about cattle drives, sod houses, plow follows the rain theories, and the Homestead Act (signed by President Lincoln on May 20. 1862.

The Wild West – The wild west was made up of more Indian wars, gunfighters, bank robberies, rowdy saloons, and corrupt gamblers – most, if not all, a figment of the imagination made up in Hollywood. I watch many old western movies and series shows. I look at them much like I do fantasy, not true, but entertaining.

Wyoming – Like most of us in the state, I have lots of Wyoming logo hats, shirts, pullovers, and hoodies. I wear them almost everywhere and have, over the years, got many comments. Three years ago, we were sitting in front row seats at a theatre in Branson, Missouri. A couple sat down beside us from New York. He asked, looking at my pullover, “are you from Wyoming?”

We said, "yes"

His reply – “cool, we were there a few years ago and loved it.”

So many still see Wyoming as an old-fashioned place to live, and it probably is, but we love it here.