Put on your spurs and add that ten-gallon hat to the top of your head when you visit some of the most historic Western towns in the US.
The Old West was romanticized as a wild and untamed area of the country with very few rules and arguments that were solved with a duel. Today, these towns offer heritage and historic significance to give you some great places to visit as a reminder of the past.
Ten Amazing Western Towns You’re Sure to Love
Pendleton, Oregon
The area of Pendleton, Oregon might sound like the destination along the Oregon Trail that was part of history, and its well known for the Pendleton Roundup. This is an annual rodeo that was founded in 1910. The Roundup is one of the top ten Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) events held each year in terms of prize money. Take a trip to the west and see what’s going on in Pendleton to enjoy the rodeo or see some of the other historic Western qualities of this town.
Alpine, Texas
The cowboys of the Old West did more than spit, gamble, ride, and rope. They also wrote songs, poetry, and kept their thoughts written down for others to see. In Alpine, an annual cowboy poetry gathering is held. This is a two-day event celebrating the oral tradition of cowboys in poems, songs, and stories. Some of the oldest ranches in Texas call Alpine home, which gives you a great place to check out some of the Western history of the area and admire some of these old ranches during the poetry gathering.
Tombstone, Arizona
Very few lists of historic Western towns would leave Tombstone out of the mix. This town is now a historic ghost town that was founded in 1879. This frontier town had a population boom during the mid-1800s with the strength of the nearby mining industry contributing to the success of the town. Tombstone is best known for the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, which was one of the most famous gun battles in Wild West history. Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday were involved in the shootout and you can see the area where the fight took place.
Ruidoso, New Mexico
The town of Ruidoso still embraces its Wild West heritage, which makes it one of the most authentic of the western towns you can visit and enjoy. This town is set in the Sierra Blanca mountain range and is easily one of the most beautiful and historic cowboy towns in America. You can visit the Hubbard Museum of the American West and gain an in-depth look at the contribution Ruidoso made to western history and heritage. Enjoy the experience and admire the views around this gorgeous town.
Sheridan, Wyoming
One of the largest rodeos in the nation calls Sheridan home. This is the Sheridan WYO Rodeo and it’s the scene you want to see if you’re looking or a way to feel like a cowboy for a few days. Several Cowboy craftsmen call Sheridan home and are a significant part of the fabric of the town. Downtown Sheridan is filled with historic museums, hotels, and shops. Visit the King’s Saddlery Museum and look at an impressive collection of cowboy memorabilia.
Elko, Nevada
The town of Elko is located in the northern part of Nevada’s “Cowboy Country” and it’s home to the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. This poetry gathering is a week-long celebration of cowboy culture in poems, music, and literature. Take a walk around Elko, be amazed by the views of the mountains around the area, and let this town be the western area where you want to have the experience you’ll remember for a lifetime. You’ll love the poetry and the picturesque views you find around Elko.
Dodge City, Kansas
The cowboy spirit of the Old West is still alive and well in Dodge City. This is one of the most infamous towns in the Old West and Downtown Dodge City still has several western-themed attractions, including the Boot Hill Museum, which shows off thousands of artifacts from the town’s early years. Visit the Santa Fe Trail Remains, a two-mile section of the historic 12,000-mile Santa Fe Trail, which is a National Historic Landmark. You can spend a lot of time in Dodge City and have a great time visiting the various western sites.
Miles City, Montana
The heart of the Big Sky Country will find you in Miles City which is a living ode to cowboy heritage. You’ll love the amazing views, the old-style of the town, and the cowboy heritage that’s part of what makes this town the one that you’re going to love to visit. The Range Riders Museum and the Miles City Saddlery are must-see attractions in Miles City. Stop by and see the historical Montana bar to drink alongside actual Montana cowboys.
Durango, Colorado
Founded in 1880, Durango became the town that was created to serve the San Juan mining district and its legacy as a western mining hub which is still evident. The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Museum which celebrates the history of this Western town. You could ride on an old steam train which is still in operation today, giving you the feeling of the Old West that you’re sure to admire and enjoy. Visit Durango and experience the cowboy qualities of this Old West town.
Deadwood, South Dakota
One of the best known and most revered cowboy towns in America is Deadwood. This town came to prominence during the Gold Rush and gives you the feeling of what it’s like to walk onto a set of a classic western. Deadwood isn’t a ghost town, it’s a gorgeous town in South Dakota at the foot of the Black Hills, and it’s as alive as its ever been. You’ll find reminders of wild west legends including Calamity Jane, and Wild Bill Hickok everywhere you look. The entire city is a National Historic Landmark District.
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