How “Wild” Was the Wild West? Debunking Five Myths about America’s Western Frontier

#1. There were fewer bank robberies in the Wild West than in present-day America

Smoke of a .45 by Charles Marion Russell depicts a violent conflict in America’s Western frontier. Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Few eras in history have inspired more movies, literature, fashion, television shows, toys, video games, and art across the world than the Wild West. Rugged cowboys, hostile Native Americans, fast gunslingers, bounty hunters, outlaws, and law-abiding sheriffs; America’s Western frontier provided the perfect script for the creative mind.

But exactly how “wild” was the Wild West?

Before we tackle some of the most popular myths about America’s Western frontier, it’s vital to define the timeline of events we are talking about.

The Wild West era runs from the end of the American Civil War in 1865 till 1890. We also call this time period the Old West. The terms “Wild West,” “Old West,” and “Western frontier” will be used interchangeably throughout this story.

Let’s debunk some of the misconceptions about America’s Western frontier.

Bank robberies were not common