Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show
Finally, a proper photo of the famed entertainer of the late 19th Century, William Frederick Cody or otherwise known as Buffalo Bill.
This photo was taken in 1900. His famous Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show was a touring performance act that displayed the stories of many Native Americans and Cowboys.
The Louisiana Purchase
The timeline of the Wild West (sometimes referred to as the Old West) generally begins around the time of the Louisiana Purchase (in 1803). The Wild West in American history is often characterized by the western expansion of settlers to develop land west of the Mississippi River. But even though the expansion officially stopped, it doesn’t mean the West was truly settled by then.
In this photo, we see a photo of the perfect cowboy vs. Indian image. It’s a great photo, too, because it is exactly what we would imagine the old west to be, the same as in the movies. The expansion of the west certainly did not come without its consequences. In fact, you didn't need to search too far to find out about trouble on the frontier. When it wasn’t warring groups shooting at one another, it was frontiersmen and women who faced long odds to survive the journey. The Old West was definitely a tough time for many people.
Annie Oakley, a Pure Talent
Another photo of Annie Oakley is on this list. Annie Oakley was known for her incredible sharpshooting talents as part of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show.
If you are not aware of the Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, as we previously mentioned, it was one of the most famous traveling shows back in the old west. Oakley, seen here in an image from 1899, was born on August 13, 1860, and died on November 3, 1926. In this photo, you can even see how serious she is with her shooting, and it would probably be a good idea not to piss her off.
“Wild” Bill Hickok
One of the most famous frontiersmen of the Old West was “Wild” Bill Hickok. He gained his reputation because of his tales of adventure.
Unfortunately, in 1876, he was killed while he was playing a game of poker. Some disgruntled men shot him because he was holding two pairs of aces and eights, which at the time was known as a “Dead Man’s Hand.”
Gender Roles in Native American Culture
Back then, gender roles were quite progressive as compared to other areas of Native American Culture. Men and women learned the same skills, which included sewing, cooking, riding horses, skinning leather, and using weapons.
In the photo that was taken back in 1910, we see a young Piegan woman wearing a traditional beaded dress on top of a hilltop.