Cultural Environment

The path west

The west was a fascinating adventure for families trying to settle in America, the untamed frontier offered hope for those looking to make roots in the expanding country. Little did anyone predict the hardships that would be faces in the west. The journey its self could end in disaster in a multitude of ways from unfriendly tribes, disease, starvation and if one was caught in the winter weather before reaching their destination they would be trapped until they spring.

An example of tragedy on the way if the Donner party. This is a perfect example on how if not careful when planning how easily all members can parish. In diary entries from Patrick Breen, he describes the feeling of being lost and stuck in the snow. As his entries progress the more depressing they become, killing all live stock, sending people to look for a path through the snow and not having them return. “... May we with Gods help spend the coming year better than the past which we purpose to do if Almighty God will deliver us from our present dreadful situation…” - December 31, 1846 This entry sums up the despair facing this group in their travels. This was not uncommon either for those who started the journey behind schedule, the only reason this man's party got more attention was due to the countless lives lost to the elements and cannibalism. Though I cannot say for sure I feel it is the hardships one faced before arriving that shaped such a lawless area.

Towns

When gathering information on towns of the old west there are always 4 main structures that are built, even in boomtowns, that become pillars to life for its inhabitance. The sheriff's building that normal housed a jail for keeping criminals was a staple for lawman as a base of operation. This is also an important building for bounty hunters who catch outlaws to turn in and collect their pay as most were hired by local authorities, railroad companies or cattleman for the captor of an individual hindering their work.

Another important building when settling a town was a bank, especially in boomtowns established for prospectors. The bank provided a place for one to store their money and valuables in this harsh environment. Unfortunately, it was also an easy target for outlaws looking to make a quick sum of cash. The bank robberies of the old west have produced names still remembered today such as Jesse James, Billy the Kid, and Butch Cassidy.

We cannot have a setting in the old west without a saloon to quench one’s thirst. These establishments played a huge part in everyday life for most man of the west a place to gather and relax after a hard day’s work. People gathered for a night of beer and gambling with the splash of entertainment at times. It was also a deadly place were the simplest of fights could have you leaving in a wooden box. Saloons were known to have rough crowds and it wasn’t uncommon for petty fights or a game of cards to go south. Because of these troubling acts the saloons are a popular destination in modern days for those looking for some spooky encounters, such as the famous Washoe club featured in a multitude of ghost hunting shows.

Lastly, we have our ladies of the night. Brothels and theaters were also places for folks to take their mind off work after a long day. Some could even be found attached to the local saloon but there are cases of stand-alone entertainment buildings, such as the Bird cage theater famous for their soiled doves, but it wasn’t always entertainment aimed for the male audience. Some more established towns would also have opera houses that would host women’s night. There are also actors and comedians at the time that can credit the west for their start, such as Eddie Foy and Jack Langrishe.

These 4 structures were not the only needs to make a town successful, but they were key in western towns to keep it running. Whether it was money, those their to protect or simply entertainment these buildings were social pillars to the communities to help keep the flow of the town from truly turning lawless and many of these buildings still stand as reminders in abandon towns through out the west. There are still key structures that you can visit to this day, like the Bird Cage Theater or the Washoe clue, to transport you back into the adventure of the old west.

Written by Alicia