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The Wild West was an undeniably peculiar era. By now, you’ve likely gathered that much, especially since we’ve previously explored this fascinating topic! You might remember an earlier exploration into some truly odd and surprising facts from the days of the Old West.
Now, we’re diving back in for another round. This list uncovers ten more astonishing facts and wild tales about life on the frontier. As Americans ventured westward to expand the nation, claim new lands, and construct a transcontinental railroad, bizarre events were unfolding everywhere.
Still skeptical? Keep reading! These ten stories reveal some of the most unexpected and peculiar moments from one of the most chaotic and fascinating periods in American history.
10. The Case of the Traveling Corpse
In 1911, aspiring outlaw Elmer McCurdy attempted to rob a passenger train in Oklahoma, believing it carried thousands of dollars for state banks. To his dismay, the train held no bank bullion, and he escaped with a mere $46. His luck worsened when Oklahoma lawmen tracked him down and shot him dead days later. However, the strangeness of his story began after his death.
McCurdy’s body was initially embalmed with arsenic and later sold to a traveling carnival. The carnival operators capitalized on his outlaw reputation, showcasing his corpse as a sideshow attraction at fairs. Over six decades, his remains were repeatedly bought and sold by various carnival groups, haunted houses, and wax museums across the Midwest, earning far more in death than he ever did in life.
After more than sixty years of being shuffled around, McCurdy’s corpse ended up in a funhouse at an amusement park in Long Beach, California, in 1976. During the filming of The Six Million Dollar Man, his body was used as a prop, and a finger (or, according to some reports, an entire arm) fell off. This incident prompted an investigation by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office, which confirmed the body was indeed McCurdy’s.
Finally, after over 65 years, McCurdy’s remains were laid to rest in the famous Boot Hill Cemetery in Dodge City, Kansas, bringing an end to his bizarre posthumous journey.
9. The Southpaw Puzzle
For years, historians and Wild West enthusiasts believed Billy the Kid was left-handed, largely due to a famous tintype photo from his youth. In the image, he appears with a gun belt on his left side and a Winchester Model 1873 rifle nearby, his right hand gripping the barrel while his left seems poised to pull the trigger. This led to the assumption that Billy the Kid (born William Bonney) was a southpaw—a detail that, while not central to his notorious life, would certainly add an intriguing layer to his story. After all, left-handed individuals have always been a rarity, both then and now.
However, the truth is likely quite different. Tintype photographs were created by producing a negative image that was then reversed during development, resulting in a final image that was horizontally flipped. This means Billy the Kid’s gun belt was almost certainly on his right side, not his left, and the rifle would have been positioned for right-handed use, with the trigger pulled by his right hand.
Additionally, the Winchester Model 1873 rifle featured a loading gate on the right side. While the flipped tintype makes it appear on the left, the rifle was designed exclusively for right-handed users. Winchester never produced left-facing loading gates for this model, making it far more practical for right-handed shooters.
Could Billy the Kid have been left-handed but forced to adapt to right-handed firearms in the Old West? It’s possible. However, the photo often cited as evidence of his left-handedness is far from conclusive. Now you know the truth behind this long-standing myth!
8. Gold Rush Reruns
It’s easy to assume the frontier pioneered the concept of gold rushes, especially with the famous 1848–1849 California Gold Rush often cited as a defining moment. When James Marshall discovered gold at Sutter’s Mill in Northern California, it sparked a global frenzy as people flocked westward seeking their fortunes. Other gold rushes in the West, like those in Colorado and Nevada’s Comstock Lode, further cemented the region’s reputation for mineral wealth.
However, these western gold rushes were preceded by earlier eastern ones that were equally significant. The first major American gold rush occurred in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, in 1799. A young boy named Conrad Reed stumbled upon a large yellow rock on his father’s farm near present-day Charlotte. The family used it as a doorstop for years until a jeweler identified it as a 17-pound (7.7-kilogram) gold nugget. This discovery ignited a rush, with the Reed family and others digging up the land in search of more gold.
Two decades later, another gold rush erupted in northern Georgia, just a few hundred miles from the Reed farm. This rush attracted prospectors from far and wide, leading to conflicts with Native American tribes and among the fortune seekers themselves. These events highlight that the frontier was not the birthplace of gold rushes in the U.S. While California’s “49ers” are the most famous, they were far from the first to chase the dream of striking it rich.
7. The Shockingly Brief Gunfight
The 'Gunfight at the OK Corral' is one of the most iconic events of the Wild West, a story that has captivated audiences for generations. On one side stood the Earp brothers—Morgan, Virgil, and Wyatt—alongside Doc Holliday. Opposing them were outlaws Billy Claireborne, Billy Clanton, Ike Clanton, and the McLaury brothers, Frank and Tom. When the shooting stopped, Billy Clanton and both McLaury brothers lay dead, while Virgil and Morgan Earp sustained injuries but survived.
What’s astonishing is how quickly it all unfolded. The entire gunfight lasted a mere 30 seconds. Despite involving nine men and a barrage of bullets, the clash was over in less than half a minute. Unlike the prolonged, dramatic shootouts often depicted in movies, this real-life battle was swift and decisive, cementing its place as one of the West’s most infamous moments.
Interestingly, the gunfight didn’t even take place at the OK Corral. Technically, it occurred near the present-day intersection of Third Street and Fremont Street in Tombstone, Arizona—just behind the corral itself. This means the name 'Gunfight at the OK Corral' is a bit of a misnomer, adding another layer of intrigue to this legendary event.
6. The Real-Life TV Saloon
If you’ve ever watched the classic TV show Gunsmoke, you’re likely familiar with Miss Kitty’s Long Branch Saloon. Set in the lawless town of Dodge City, Kansas, the saloon was a central feature of the series. But here’s a fascinating twist: the Long Branch Saloon actually existed in real life—and, in a way, it still does.
Miss Kitty’s Long Branch Saloon was a real establishment in Dodge City where locals and travelers could enjoy a drink—or several. Its origins are somewhat murky, but it’s well-documented that the original saloon was destroyed in the notorious Front Street Fire of 1885. This devastating blaze wiped out numerous businesses in the growing town, forcing some to close permanently and others to rebuild from the ground up.
Years later, the saloon was rebuilt, though it never quite regained its former glory from Dodge City’s outlaw days. Today, it stands as a nostalgic destination for fans of Gunsmoke, offering a chance to relive memories of the beloved TV show rather than serving as a true reflection of its 19th-century predecessor.
According to Kansas historians and local museums, the original Long Branch Saloon was a lively spot in its heyday. It reportedly served non-alcoholic beverages like milk, tea, and lemonade, as well as sarsaparilla, beer, and a variety of stronger drinks. So, if you’re ever in southwestern Kansas, it’s the perfect place to experience a slice of the Old West!
5. The Old (Old, Old) West
It’s no secret that Native American settlements existed in America thousands of years before European colonization. While Jamestown is often cited as the first permanent European settlement in North America, established in 1607, it was far from the first permanent settlement in what is now the United States. In fact, Native American communities had been thriving for millennia before Europeans arrived.
Historians have confirmed that the Acoma Pueblo, located west of present-day Albuquerque, New Mexico, existed at least 500 years before the Jamestown settlement. While European settlers were unaware of its existence until Spanish conquistadors and missionaries arrived, the Acoma Pueblo had been thriving long before their discovery.
At its peak, the Acoma Pueblo, known as 'Sky City,' was an impressive settlement. Perched atop a 300-foot (91.4-meter) mesa, it was naturally fortified and home to around 5,000 people. This strategic location made it a cultural hub, attracting neighboring Native groups who traveled great distances to trade and engage with the influential Acoma community.
Today, the Acoma Pueblo stands as a cultural and historical landmark, offering insights into one of the earliest settled civilizations within the current borders of the United States. Its history predates not only the Old West but also much of what is commonly associated with early American settlements.
4. The First (Phony) Film Cowboy
If you’re familiar with the history of early western films, you’ve likely heard of Broncho Billy Anderson. He gained fame as the cowboy star of the 1903 silent film The Great Train Robbery. However, Anderson’s real-life persona was far removed from the rugged cowboy image he portrayed on screen, making him an unexpected figure in the history of American cinema.
In truth, 'Anderson' was born Maxwell Henry Aronson in Arkansas in 1880. His father was a traveling salesman who peddled goods across the Ozarks, but Maxwell had no interest in following that path. As a teenager, he left for New York City, where he became involved in the emerging film industry. Over his career, he produced and acted in hundreds of silent films, earning him a place as one of America’s earliest movie stars.
However, Maxwell was no cowboy. He had never lived in the West, spent significant time there, or had any connection to the Wild West lifestyle. He simply portrayed the fictional Broncho Billy Anderson in the 1903 classic The Great Train Robbery, and the myth grew from there. Some might argue he was the first in a long line of Hollywood stars with fabricated personas designed to captivate audiences. Regardless, Aronson certainly wasn’t the last!
3. The West Had Real Gun Control
It’s tempting to imagine the Wild West as a lawless frontier where guns ruled supreme. Stories of outlaws, shootouts, and daring heaps dominate the era’s lore, painting a picture of a place where firearms were central to life. But the reality was quite different.
In fact, the Wild West had surprisingly strict gun control measures. Towns like Deadwood, Dodge City, Abilene, Garden City, and even Tombstone required visitors to surrender their firearms upon entering city limits. Upon arrival, individuals had to check their guns at the local sheriff’s office and receive a token as proof. This system essentially created the world’s first firearm coat check, proving that the Wild West wasn’t as lawless as it’s often portrayed.
There was, however, one exception to the strict gun control laws: locals. If you were a recognized resident with a good standing in the community and a relationship with the sheriff, you were typically allowed to keep your firearms at home. This policy stemmed from years of outlaw activity and banditry, prompting sheriffs to ensure that unfamiliar visitors remained unarmed while in town. Trusted individuals could retain their guns for personal and family protection. Overall, gun control in the Wild West was far stricter than many might assume!
2. Cowboy Hats Weren’t Cowboy Hats
Pioneers working under the relentless sun had no choice but to wear hats, and they almost always did. However, the iconic ten-gallon cowboy hats we associate with the Old West today weren’t part of their wardrobe. These hats only gained fame in the 1920s and later, thanks to Hollywood’s portrayal of cowboys in films. The oversized, dramatic cowboy hats were far from what real cowboys wore during the 19th century.
Instead, genuine cowboys of that era opted for a smaller, flat-brimmed Stetson hat known as the 'Boss of the Plains.' Designed by menswear creator John Stetson, these hats were a response to the impractical headwear worn by early settlers, such as straw, silk, fur, and wool hats. These earlier options were unsuitable for the harsh conditions—too hot in summer, too cold in winter, and prone to soaking up rainwater, leaving wearers uncomfortably damp for hours.
Stetson’s 'Boss of the Plains' was a game-changer. Made entirely of waterproof nutria fur, it featured a deep crown and a flat, slightly curled brim designed to shed rainwater efficiently. The hat’s versatility even allowed it to be flipped over and used as a makeshift water bucket for horses—a vital feature for cowboys navigating rugged trails.
If you’re wondering about the price, Stetson’s innovative hat cost around $5 in most dry goods stores at the time. Adjusted for inflation, that’s over $75 today—a significant expense for cowboys who earned modest wages from grueling labor. However, the hat’s durability and quality made it a worthwhile investment, offering much-needed protection from the sun and rain.
1. The Double-Buried Jesse James
This isn’t about Jesse James’s double-barreled exploits, though his early years were certainly filled with chaos. Instead, it’s about what happened after his death. After a life of bank robberies and wreaking havoc across the West, James tried to live quietly on his farm in Kearney, Missouri. However, his past caught up with him when a former enemy betrayed him, leading to his murder in 1882.
Initially, James was buried in the front yard of his farm to prevent grave robbers from desecrating his remains, as his notoriety made him a target. His body remained there for some time before being moved to a more permanent resting place in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Missouri. But the story doesn’t end there.
Decades later, in 1948, a man named J. Frank Dalton claimed to be the 'real' Jesse James. A court even allowed him to legally adopt the outlaw’s name. Dalton, who was 101 years old at the time, fabricated the entire story. Despite this, when he died, the town of Granbury, Texas, embraced his claims, celebrating his burial with a tourist attraction fit for a legendary outlaw.
The debate over Jesse James’s two burial sites grew so intense that DNA testing was eventually used to settle the matter. Decades later, scientists exhumed the body buried in Kearney and confirmed through mitochondrial DNA analysis that it was indeed the real Jesse James, debunking Dalton’s claims. Despite this, the myth had already taken root, and many still believe Granbury is James’s final resting place—even though it’s not. Oops!
