• 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!

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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?

12 facts and truths about cowboys in AZ's old west.
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READ: THIS was the Deadliest Shootout in Arizona History

Or were they dusty outlaws, holding robbing stage coaches and shootin' up saloons?

12 facts and truths about cowboys in AZ's old west.
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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

Hollywood took the cowboy out of the Old West, added a touch of glamour, a hint of outlaw, and made them into something altogether different than they really here.

Here's the truth about Arizona's cowboys in the Old West.

Gallery Credit: Val Davidson/TSM

These 25 Things from Arizona Changed the World!

Here are 25 things that were invented or discovered right here in Arizona!

Gallery Credit: Val Davidson

15 Arizona Jobs That Could Disappear In 10 Years

With automation and apps driving the gig-economy, these 15 jobs could disappear from Arizona in the next ten years.

Is this a good thing for the Grand Canyon State, or will these mostly-entry level occupations cause trouble in our economy?

Only time will tell.

Gallery Credit: Val Davidson

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