I shoulda' been a cowboy....

[VDB]

Growing up in the heart of Boston as a young boy I remember watching the Duke jump on a horse and shoot down some villain. Later that day or evening there would be songs from the 40's through 80 blasting as we listened to country music....Box Car Willie, Hank Williams, Crystal Gayle just to name a few. I would have to say that is where the passion for the old west 's seed was planted. Thank you dad.

As an adult I have read numerous on line and off line articles and books concerning this era. However even after all that reading I am not subject matter expert, not even close. During my years of service I related better to those from our southern states, or as we affectionately referred to them as "Red Necks"

Post military life has brought a new interest in this. I have read a bit about certain areas of this era. The civil war being the most read by me with regards to Robert E. Lee. Also I have read some on nautical stories during the late 1800's as well. Most books by Patrick O'Brien, which are stories that take place in that era.

Well thats it for now. I am sure I will be adding most as time goes by.

Regards,
VDB

[Big Six]

S.

A belated welcome to you. The "Old West" is an amazing chapter of Victorian era history. My "Western" interest is primarily in the efforts to span the continent with iron. If any of you ever gets out to Sacramento I urge you to make some time for a visit to Old Sacramento State Historic Park and especially The California State Railroad Museum~the only place in the world you can see a Cab-forward 4-8-8-2 cab-forward locomotive. I thought they had either a 4-66-4 Challenger or a 4-8-8-4 Big Boy, but I can find no reference to one there. It was quite a few years ago that I visited and the old grey cells aren't what they used to be.

I actually traveled to California by train that trip, the "West" is an amazingly big and lonely place. I can't imagine what it must have been like to be on your own out there a hundred and fifty years ago with just yourself to rely on very often.

Regards,
J.

[VDB]

J,

When I think of the Ol' West I think of a time before the Iron Horses were everywhere. I imagine horse drawn carriages on main street, and of course an old saloon.

Don't get me wrong the railroad did a lot to move our great nation forward, I just think back to when our nation was not as crowded as it is now-a-days.

You mentioned having to really on just yourself, well to me that is the magic that made the ol' west what it was back then. It was a hard gruesome life, but one that a man could be proud of. Of course there is also a few notables that did slightly take away from this Billy the Kid, Jesse James

Then a days worth of work was definitely worth a days worth a pay. Life was simpler, days where longer, and the work was a whole heck of a lot harder.

I suppose, as far as how I see it, if I were to compare it to the northern states it would mirror a lot of our colonial days here in New England. hard work, breaking the land, building a community, etc.

The styles of clothes out west I have seen a lot of and have to admit, the clothing was a lot more stylish then what we see now a days that is for sure. Sometimes I just stare when i see what some folks will put on.

Well that is it for now. Had to get going this morning or I will be late for a few upcoming events.

Once again I love the board and from what I am reading seems like the word is spreading like wild fire!

Regards,
Stan

[imfrom1900]

For some reason, I prefer 1840s london to the Old West, but I'm glad that there are still Old West enthusiasts. After all, the Old West was still classy, even though some parts of it were a little rugged.