
Busted! 12 Myths About Cowboys in Arizona’s Old West
- Hollywood characterizes cowboys in Arizona's Old West as outlaws and gunslingers, heroes and saviors. But is this the truth?
- The life of a cowboy could be harsh and unglamorous.
- Cowboys usually lived modestly, doing a thought job.
It's no secret that Hollywood has glamorized cowboys in the Old West since the beginning of filmmaking. Through the ages, the American cowboy has been depicted as a hero, an outlaw, a lone traveler, or a rabble-rouser, causing trouble and strife as he rode into a dusty town.
In fact, one of the first silent films ever made was from the 1920s. The movie featured a cowboy who turned his gun toward the audience. The image was so unexpected that several people fainted. Since then, the cowboy has been featured on cellulose many times, and a lot of the imagery is the stuff of imagination!

Separating Truth from Fiction: Cowboys in Arizona's Old West
One of the most famous stories is the 1881 Gunfight at the OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona Territory. While this story has been told and retold through the decades, the truth is a lot less glamorous and exciting than you've been lead to believe.
READ: Gunfight Somewhere NEAR the OK Corral: Is It All a Hollywood LIE?
So, what's true about Arizona's famous Old West Cowboys? Were they the grand heroes as they're often depicted in the movies?
READ: THIS was the Deadliest Shootout in Arizona History
Or were they dusty outlaws, holding robbing stage coaches and shootin' up saloons?
As always, the truth usually lies somewhere in between.
We separate fact from fiction and give you a more accurate picture of what life as a cowboy in Arizona's Old West was really like.
Sources: Kidadl | Ranker | Have Fun With History | History Facts
Busted! 12 Myths About Arizona's Old West Cowboys
Gallery Credit: Val Davidson/TSM
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