23 Iconic Photos of Life in the Wild West

Can you picture what life must have been like in the Wild West? It was a world completely different from the one we know today. People traveled by horseback or carriage to the store, saloon, church, or work. There were no modern conveniences like cars, computers, microwaves, or video streaming that we take for granted in 2024. However, one invention they did have was the camera, and thanks to that, we have a treasure trove of images that preserve the spirit and reality of the Wild West.

We gathered a diverse collection of Old West images that we think you’ll enjoy. You’ll find fantastic photos of cowboys and cowgirls engaged in a variety of activities, from working the fields and caring for their animals to attending rodeos. We have included rare photos of famous outlaws, including the only known image of famed criminal Billy the Kid. There are unique images of famous saloons of the time and saloons that were turned into other enterprises, like an American Red Cross station. We also have pictures of families going across the country in a covered wagon, like in the Oregon Trail computer game. There’s something for everyone here, and it’s incredible to look back at how things once were.

24/7 Tempo searched many different sources to find pictures and stories of what life was really like in the Wild West. We looked at the Library of Congress, Oldwest.org, and History.com. We also reviewed encyclopedia entries and Biography.com pieces. All in all, we think we have a great selection of Wild West photos, and we hope you enjoy them. After you’ve learned about the people of the Wild West, check out some of the most famous cowboys and cowgirls of all time .

Here are 23 epic photos from the Wild West era:

‘The Cow Boy’

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

This image is officially titled “The Cow Boy,” and it was taken in 1888 near the Dakota Territory, which is now South Dakota. This is what your typical cowboy looked like back in the day. A few possessions and a horse. Cowboys were very talented and could perform many tasks well, from hunting to working with cattle. It’s a striking image that really encapsulates the Wild West.

Aftermath of the Dakota War of 1862

Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

This image shows a group of refugees after the Indian Massacre of 1862 that took place in Minnesota. This group here is considered to be “mixed blood,” and they were rescued by the Indians. Life certainly wasn’t easy back then, and this photo shows the turmoil that many experienced. There was a lot of violence; often, only the toughest survived.

The Homesteader

Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

If you’ve ever played the game Oregon Trail, you’ve likely seen an image like this. This is a family traveling together during the great Western migration in 1886. Their meager belongings were housed in this wagon, which operated as a home during their travels to find a homestead. It was a dangerous journey, but it could be very rewarding.

Crawford Goldsby and captors

Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

This image shows Crawford Goldsby, also known as Cherokee Bill, who was an American outlaw. He had a gang that terrorized the Indian Territory for two years. He was captured, and this is a group of his captors. Goldsby was a dangerous criminal who was responsible for several murders. Even after he was captured and put in jail, he killed a guard while trying to escape but wasn’t successful.

Old Cumberland Road near Chestnut Ridge Mountains

No known restrictions / National Archives and Records Administration

This Wild West photo shows the Old Cumberland Road as it winds into the Chestnut Ridge Mountains in Pennsylvania. Imagine a time when there weren’t buildings everywhere. It was just land and beautiful nature. Also, imagine only seeing one person driving on a road in 2024. That’s something you only see out in the country.

Belle Starr

Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

This is a photo of Belle Starr, taken during the 1880s and likely the work of a professional photographer at Fort Smith. Belle Starr was a notorious outlaw who was involved in various criminal gangs. She was also convicted of horse theft during her years of crime. Her eventual murder in 1889 is still unsolved.

Army buffalo soldier

This image shows a lone Army buffalo soldier with his tools and trusty horse. The buffalo soldiers were a group that often fought against American Plains Indians. The Indians gave the soldiers that name because they thought that many of them had dark and curly hair, which represented a buffalo’s coat. The soldiers fought in various battles and had many successes.

Engineer’s Building

No known restrictions / National Archives and Records Administration

This is a photo of an engineer’s building, likely found somewhere in Tennessee. Engineers are experts in designing and constructing various things, including buildings and bridges. There was less technology back then, but they made do with what they had. Some excellent advancements came out of the Wild West, including windmills, barbed wire, and the steel plow, among others.

A bar room in London becomes the American Red Cross

No known restrictions / National Archives and Records Administration

This photo shows the interior of a saloon in London, which was taken over by the American Red Cross and turned into a welfare center. The building came complete with a room for baby carriages, a place for consultations, and plenty of milk to go around. This photo shows that it wasn’t all bad back then.

Billy the Kid

No known restrictions / National Archives and Records Administration

This is an actual photo of Billy the Kid, a famous outlaw from the time. In fact, it is the only remaining photo of Billy the Kid, who was a thief and a gunfighter. He is said to have killed 21 men over his lifetime before killing himself at the age of 21. Although he was mean, Billy remains one of the most notorious figures of the Wild West.

Kelley’s Saloon

No known restrictions / National Archives and Records Administration

In this image, we’re at Kelley’s Saloon in the Oklahoma Territory. The patrons and employees are taking a photo while standing around the kegs. There are also a couple of cowboys on the side. This was a common scene during the time and the people here look happy.

Johnston’s Branch Adjoining Saloon

No known restrictions / National Archives and Records Administration

There wasn’t a whole lot to do for entertainment in the Wild West, so many folks spent their time at the local saloon, and here’s another one of interest. This is Johnston’s Branch Adjoining Saloon in St. Louis, Missouri. People would spend their nights and weekends here, have a drink, and try to stay out of trouble.

‘Cowboys Leering at Sheep’

No known restrictions / National Archives and Records Administration

This image shows a common sight during the Wild West: sheep and sheep herders roaming about the landscape. It is formally called “Cowboys Leering at Sheep,” which could be because many cowboys disliked sheepherders. This was often the case because sheep overgrazed cattle land, making it unstable for cattle raising.

Inside the saloon

Public domain

While we often see photos of the outside of saloons that lined the streets during the Wild West, this picture shows us what the action looked like inside. Two cowboys appear to be the main attraction. It could have been a drinking contest, card game, or something else entirely. This scene is from a movie, but it’s very true to life from back then.

Cowboys chasing the train

No known restrictions / National Archives and Records Administration

Back in the Wild West, there were only a few viable forms of transportation. The most popular were taking the train or riding a horse. Here, we see both taking place. This picture may have been of cowboys giving the train passengers a nice send-off, or they may have been up to no good. Either way, it’s a unique and striking image.

West Timber Storehouse

No known restrictions / National Archives and Records Administration

This is a building called the West Timber Storehouse, which is just as it sounds and is located in Watertown, Massachusetts. Wood is stored here for future use and a lot of it. There was also a foundry here, which is a factory that produces metal castings. A lot of folks worked hard here day after day.

A saloon turned recreation room

No known restrictions / National Archives and Records Administration

In this image, we see a Deutsch saloon that was turned into a recreation space. Instead of alcohol, the servers serve hot chocolate in beer steins. This wasn’t the fanciest building in the world, but it was a nice space to spend time with friends and comrades.

The rodeo

No known restrictions / National Archives and Records Administration

No matter how much time passes, things like having a good time at the rodeo never change. In this photo, taken around 1895, we see a group of riders at a rodeo at Fort Sill. This event was fun for all ages, and people were very proud of what their horses could do. People then took great care of their horses, kind of like how we care for our cars.

Standing at The Red Eye Saloon

No known restrictions / National Archives and Records Administration

In this photo, we see a group of American soldiers taking a picture in front of their quarters. They called it “The Red Eye Saloon,” likely because they didn’t get much sleep during their time away from battle. This is a common type of structure in the Wild West.

Courthouse and saloon

No known restrictions / National Archives and Records Administration

Only in the Wild West would one building serve as both a courthouse and a local saloon. Serious business is taking place in this image as a horse thief is on trial. This took place around 1900, and Judge Roy Bean presided over the case. Things were much different in that day, especially when it came to law and order, and it didn’t pay to be a criminal.

Indians and cowboys working the cattle

No known restrictions / National Archives and Records Administration

In this Wild West image, cowboys and Indians work together to work or transport a herd of cattle. These were common tasks of the day. It wasn’t easy work, but it was rewarding. Some people still do this work in 2024, but it’s uncommon.

An old laboratory

No known restrictions / National Archives and Records Administration

In this striking photo, we see an old laboratory building. Back then, technology and science were different. However, during the Wild West, it wasn’t uncommon for scientists and chemists to perform various experiments as they learned about the world around them. There was also an interest in astrology and electricity.

West Point in New York

No known restrictions / National Archives and Records Administration

This is a photo of an academic building at West Point in New York. The United States Military Academy was established in 1802 and still exists today. It is there that folks go to learn to become leaders in the Army. The school was founded by President Thomas Jefferson.

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