american frontier

Archaeology Students In Missouri Just Uncovered An Historic Pioneer Homestead That Was Built In The 1830s

In some of their final days of excavation at a Springfield dig site, these 20 undergrads helped unearth the foundation of the William Townsend house, a pioneer home built upon his arrival in the area in 1832.

By Ainsley Brown • Jul 31, 2025

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Archaeology Students In Missouri Just Uncovered An Historic Pioneer Homestead That Was Built In The 1830s

In some of their final days of excavation at a Springfield dig site, these 20 undergrads helped unearth the foundation of the William Townsend house, a pioneer home built upon his arrival in the area in 1832.

By Ainsley Brown • July 31, 2025

33 Photos That Reveal What Life Was Really Like In Wild West Mining Towns

From Deadwood, South Dakota to Arizona's "wickedest town in the West," these 19th-century mining settlements were once home to gambling halls, brothels, and some of the frontier's most lawless characters.

By Kaleena Fraga • Jun 28, 2025

33 Photos That Reveal What Life Was Really Like In Wild West Mining Towns

From Deadwood, South Dakota to Arizona's "wickedest town in the West," these 19th-century mining settlements were once home to gambling halls, brothels, and some of the frontier's most lawless characters.

By Kaleena Fraga • June 28, 2025

27 Surprising Facts About Annie Oakley That You Probably Didn’t Learn In History Class

Starring in Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, Annie Oakley made a name for herself as one of the first female celebrities in sharpshooting.

By Erin Kelly • Mar 23, 2025

27 Surprising Facts About Annie Oakley That You Probably Didn’t Learn In History Class

Starring in Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, Annie Oakley made a name for herself as one of the first female celebrities in sharpshooting.

By Erin Kelly • March 23, 2025

The Disturbing Case Of Alfred Packer, The ‘Colorado Cannibal’ Who Ate Five Of His Traveling Companions

After getting lost while leading a group of gold miners through the Colorado Rockies in the 1870s, Alfred Packer resorted to cannibalism to stay alive — but the exact circumstances of his companions' deaths are unknown.

By Katie Serena • Jan 26, 2025

The Disturbing Case Of Alfred Packer, The ‘Colorado Cannibal’ Who Ate Five Of His Traveling Companions

After getting lost while leading a group of gold miners through the Colorado Rockies in the 1870s, Alfred Packer resorted to cannibalism to stay alive — but the exact circumstances of his companions' deaths are unknown.

By Katie Serena • January 26, 2025

Seth Bullock, The Wild West Sheriff Who Brought Civilization To Deadwood

As a lawman, business owner, and politician, Seth Bullock tamed the rambunctious town of Deadwood, South Dakota, a formerly lawless place home to the likes of Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok.

By Amber Morgan • Jan 25, 2025

Seth Bullock, The Wild West Sheriff Who Brought Civilization To Deadwood

As a lawman, business owner, and politician, Seth Bullock tamed the rambunctious town of Deadwood, South Dakota, a formerly lawless place home to the likes of Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok.

By Amber Morgan • January 25, 2025

The Legend Of Black Bart, The Poetic Bandit Of The American Frontier

Perhaps the most dignified stagecoach robber of the Old West, Black Bart earned the nickname the "gentleman bandit" because of his well-mannered demeanor, his reputation for never firing a shot, and his peculiar habit of leaving poems behind at his crime scenes.

By Wyatt Redd • Jan 12, 2025

The Legend Of Black Bart, The Poetic Bandit Of The American Frontier

Perhaps the most dignified stagecoach robber of the Old West, Black Bart earned the nickname the "gentleman bandit" because of his well-mannered demeanor, his reputation for never firing a shot, and his peculiar habit of leaving poems behind at his crime scenes.

By Wyatt Redd • January 12, 2025

The True Story Of The Gunfight At The O.K. Corral, The Most Infamous Shootout Of The Wild West

On October 26, 1881, lawman Wyatt Earp, his brothers Morgan and Virgil, and his friend Doc Holliday faced off against five outlaws in Tombstone, Arizona — culminating in the shootout at the O.K. Corral.

By Mark Oliver • Nov 17, 2024

The True Story Of The Gunfight At The O.K. Corral, The Most Infamous Shootout Of The Wild West

On October 26, 1881, lawman Wyatt Earp, his brothers Morgan and Virgil, and his friend Doc Holliday faced off against five outlaws in Tombstone, Arizona — culminating in the shootout at the O.K. Corral.

By Mark Oliver • November 17, 2024

Robert Ford, The ‘Cowardly’ Outlaw Who Killed Jesse James

Robert Ford became forever known as a "dirty little coward" after betraying and killing his friend, outlaw Jesse James, in St. Joseph, Missouri on April 3, 1882.

By Daniel Rennie • Nov 14, 2024

Robert Ford, The ‘Cowardly’ Outlaw Who Killed Jesse James

Robert Ford became forever known as a "dirty little coward" after betraying and killing his friend, outlaw Jesse James, in St. Joseph, Missouri on April 3, 1882.

By Daniel Rennie • November 14, 2024

How Cerro Gordo Went From A Silver Boomtown To An Abandoned Ghost Town

At the turn of the 20th century, Cerro Gordo was a bustling mining town that once averaged a murder a week. Today, it sits abandoned — and is allegedly haunted.

By Natasha Ishak • Aug 20, 2024

How Cerro Gordo Went From A Silver Boomtown To An Abandoned Ghost Town

At the turn of the 20th century, Cerro Gordo was a bustling mining town that once averaged a murder a week. Today, it sits abandoned — and is allegedly haunted.

By Natasha Ishak • August 20, 2024

The True Story Of Doc Holliday, The Gunslinging Dentist Who Became A Wild West Legend

From sickly dentist to deadly gunfighter to Tombstone deputy, Doc Holliday became one of the Wild West's most iconic figures before dying at just 36 in 1887.

By Kaleena Fraga • Aug 5, 2024

The True Story Of Doc Holliday, The Gunslinging Dentist Who Became A Wild West Legend

From sickly dentist to deadly gunfighter to Tombstone deputy, Doc Holliday became one of the Wild West's most iconic figures before dying at just 36 in 1887.

By Kaleena Fraga • August 5, 2024