The American Old West was a time of rugged individualism, lawlessness, and legendary figures whose stories have become deeply embedded in American history and folklore. Gunslingers, law enforcement officers, outlaws, pioneers, and more—the Old West was populated by a cast of characters whose lives were marked by adventure, danger, and often tragedy. Let’s revisit 15 of the most exciting and iconic people from the Old West.
Wild Bill Hickok
James Butler Hickok, aka Wild Bill Hickok, is a legend. He was a skilled marksman, gambler, and lawman. Hickok’s biggest moment is perhaps his participation in a shootout in 1861, where he killed Davis Tutt in what is considered one of the earliest recorded quick-draw duels. Later, he served as a scout for the Union Army in the Civil War and as a sheriff in Hays City and Abilene, Kansas. Hickok met death by a gunshot while playing poker in Deadwood, Dakota Territory, in 1876.
Annie Oakley
Born Phoebe Ann Mosey, Annie Oakley was an American sharpshooter who gained fame as a performer in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show. She had exceptional marksmanship and became a symbol of the American West. Oakley’s skill with a rifle earned her international fame, and she performed for royalty and heads of state worldwide.
Buffalo Bill Cody
American soldier, bison hunter, and showman William Frederick “Buffalo Bill” Cody hit stardom thanks to his Wild West show, which toured the United States and Europe. Cody’s show featured reenactments of cowboy life, Native American dances, and sharpshooting demonstrations.
Calamity Jane
Martha Jane Canary was a frontierswoman and professional scout who hit fame for her exploits in the American West. Everyone knew of her rough-and-tumble lifestyle and association with Wild Bill Hickok. Calamity Jane earned a reputation as a skilled rider and sharpshooter and was frequently portrayed as a heroine of the Wild West.
Jesse James
Jesse Woodson James was an American gang leader, robber, and murderer from Missouri and the most famous member of the James-Younger Gang. He and his brother Frank were guerrillas during the Civil War. They faced accusations of participating in atrocities committed against Union soldiers. Following the war, as part of various gangs of outlaws, they robbed banks, stagecoaches, and trains.
Calvin Coolidge
The 30th President of the United States, Calvin Coolidge, was known for his cowboy image and love of the outdoors. He enjoyed horseback riding and spending time on his ranch in the Black Hills of South Dakota. He was often photographed in cowboy attire and was seen as a symbol of rugged individualism and American values.
Billy the Kid
William Henry McCarty Jr., or Billy the Kid, was an outlaw and gunfighter who sent about eight men to the grave before his death at age 21. He participated in New Mexico’s Lincoln County War, during which he allegedly committed three murders. Billy has become a legendary figure of the American West, and his youthful appearance and skill with a revolver can’t be forgotten.
Wyatt Earp
Cochise County lawman and gambler Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp was a deputy marshal in Tombstone. Wyatt worked in several trades throughout his life and participated in the famous gunfight at the O.K. Corral, in which three outlaw Cowboys were killed. He is often regarded as one of the most well-known figures of the Old West.
Doc Holliday
John Henry “Doc” Holliday was a dentist, gambler, gunfighter, and good friend of Wyatt Earp. Best known for his role before and after the O.K. Corral gunfight, Holliday was diagnosed with tuberculosis and given only a few months to live. Despite his illness, he continued to gamble and practice dentistry.
Sitting Bull
He was a Hunkpapa Lakota leader who led his people in the years of resistance against United States government policies. Subsequent to winning the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876, he toured with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show. Eventually, he returned to the Standing Rock Agency in South Dakota.
Geronimo
Geronimo was a respected leader and medicine man from the Bedonkohe band of the Chiricahua Apache tribe. After fighting against Mexican and American expansion into Apache tribal lands for several decades, Geronimo surrendered to U.S. authorities in 1886 and was a prisoner of war. He became a celebrity, appearing at fairs.
Sacagawea
This Lemhi Shoshone woman interpreted for and guided the Lewis and Clark Expedition. She travelled with the expedition from the Mandan villages in North Dakota to the Pacific Ocean and back. Sacagawea’s contributions to the expedition were invaluable, as her knowledge of the land and her ability to communicate with Native American tribes helped ensure its success.
Black Bart
It was the pseudonym of Charles Earl Bowles, who was noted for the poetic messages he left following two of his robberies. His other names included Charles Bolton, C.E. Bolton, and Black Bart the Poet. He was a gentleman bandit who was big on style and sophistication. He was also a top stagecoach robber operating in and out of Northern California and southern Oregon in the late 1800s.
John Sutter
The founder of Sutter’s Fort in Sacramento, where gold was discovered, was a Swiss pioneer of California and a businessman. However, Sutter’s efforts to keep control of his land and fortune were unsuccessful, and he died nearly penniless.
Belle Starr
Myra Maybelle Shirley, better known as Belle Starr, was a notorious American outlaw who gained fame during the late 19th century. She was linked with the James-Younger Gang and other outlaws, had a flamboyant style, and was associated with several notorious criminals.
