Author and blogger Rachel Kovaciny writes The Wild West of Yesteryear, a regular column that brings the Old West to life through vivid stories about its people, traditions, and history.
Born into slavery around 1800, Jim Beckwourth became a renowned trapper, frontiersman, and Crow chief. He discovered the Beckwourth Pass through the Sierra Nevada, helped establish trading posts, and shared his life story in the first autobiography by a Black western explorer. His legacy bridges Native American, fur trade, and frontier histories.
When every soldier in Custer’s command perished at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, one survivor lived to tell the tale without saying a word. Comanche, Captain Keogh’s faithful cavalry horse, was found wounded but alive on the battlefield. Nursed back to health and honored for his loyalty, Comanche became a living symbol of courage and endurance. His story still stirs hearts nearly 150 years later and you can still see him today in Kansas.
Doña María Gertrudis Barceló—better known as La Tules—built a gambling empire in 1800s Santa Fe. At a time when most women relied on husbands for wealth, she amassed her own fortune through sharp business sense and skill at the card table. From illegal Monte games to lavish real estate holdings, her story is a rare and inspiring portrait of independence and power in the Wild West. Discover the woman who dealt her own hand in history.
Ever wonder where the word “maverick” came from? Meet Sam Maverick, the 19th-century Texas cattle rancher and politician who refused to brand his livestock—so thoroughly that unbranded cattle were soon called “mavericks.” His unconventional ways gave rise to a word that now defines anyone who goes their own way, from Old West legends to pop culture icons.
Born to a Comanche chief and a white captive, Quanah Parker lived a life of contrasts: fierce warrior, political leader, cultural bridge. He led his people in battle, then into peace, becoming the most successful Native American of his time. Discover how this extraordinary man honored his heritage while navigating the demands of a changing world.
Was Calamity Jane cursed by bad luck—or just really good at causing it? The truth is wilder than the myth. From frontier hardship to dime-novel fame, here’s how Martha Jane Canary became one of the most colorful (and controversial) women in Wild West history.
Coffee wasn’t just a comfort in the Old West, but survival. Cowboys, pioneers, and gold seekers roasted green beans over campfires, ground them by hand, and brewed their daily lifeline one pot at a time. Before modern conveniences, making coffee took real grit. Discover how brands like Arbuckle’s revolutionized the frontier cup and why coffee truly earned its place as “the drink that won the West.”
The Wild West of Yesteryear Column by Rachel Kovaciny This woman was in Tombstone at the same time as Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. She snow-shoed hundreds of miles one Canadian winter to help rescue isolated miners. She was still…
The Wild West of Yesteryear Column by Rachel Kovaciny I love to remember the Alamo. I love reading books or watching movies about it. I’ve seen four so far (my favorites are John Wayne’s The Alamo and Disney’s Davy Crockett, King of…
Life on the frontier could be lonely, especially for women isolated by distance and hardship. From 1830 to 1898, Godey’s Lady’s Book helped pioneer women stay connected through fashion, recipes, stories, music, and household tips. It united women coast to coast with the latest trends and treasured literature, becoming a lifeline for many.