8 Ridiculous Myths About Wyoming & The Old West

Many of the perceptions we have about Wyoming and the Old West come straight from Hollywood.

Hollywood storytelling is bigger than life because real life is often boring.

Myth: 

Settlers constantly clashed with Indians as they moved their wagon trains West.

Reality:

There were very few clashes between settlers and Indians. Only about 300 people or so died in such clashes. Most settlers died from getting sick or from accidents, like getting run over by animals or wagons.

Myth:

 Circling the wagons for protection.

Reality:

Circling the wagons took place at night, to keep the livestock from getting away. It was not used as a defense against attacking Indians. Most wagon trains stretched out for miles. It would have taken far too long to bring them all together for such a formation.

Myth:

The concept of the "COWBOY" did not originate in the United States.

Reality:

Mexican cattle herders were working herds in the same way, before the first settlers came to Plymouth Rock. They were the ones who came up with cowboy terms like "Bronco, Lariat, and Stampede." These regional cowboys taught our American cowboys the trade.

Myth:

Bank Robbers ruled the West.

Reality:

There were only 8 true bank robberies in 40 years of the Old West.

Myth:

Card playing was a big deal.

Reality:

Gabmling was taken as a serious game back then. It was a true sport of its time.

Myth:

Everybody wore cowboy hats.

Reality:

Most people wore bolo hats. There were many other styles as well. The bolo hat was actually called, "the hat that won the West." The original cowboy hat style looked more like a modern Amish hat than the cowboy hats we see today.

Myth:

Prostitutes lived in poverty.

Reality:

Madams of the time made good money and made sure that their ladies lived in comfort, so they would stay. There were not many professions available for a single woman back then. This was one that offered a good income and a nice place to live.

Myth:

Guns were EVERYWHERE in the Old West.

Reality:

People had guns. They did not always carry them. Most towns had rules about carrying guns in town. Gunfights, as you see in Hollywood Western movies, were very rare.