List of cowboys and cowgirls facts for kids

The American Old West, from about 1830 to 1910, was a time of adventure and change. It was a period when brave men and women, known as cowboys and cowgirls, played a big part in shaping the American frontier. These skilled riders and cattle herders helped move huge herds of cattle across vast lands. They also became famous for their daring acts in Wild West shows and rodeos. This list shares some of the most well-known cowboys and cowgirls from this exciting era.

Real-Life Cowboys and Ranchers

Many people worked with cattle during the Old West. They were called cattlemen, ranchers, or cowboys. A cattleman or rancher owned large areas of land and many cattle. A cowboy was a skilled worker who helped manage the cattle. They rode horses, herded cows, and worked hard on the open range.

Famous Cattlemen and Cowboys

• John Chisum (1824–1884): He was one of the biggest cattle owners in the Old West. He had huge herds in New Mexico.
• Charles Goodnight (1836–1929): A famous Texas rancher and cowboy. He helped create some of the first long cattle trails.
• Richard King (1824–1885): He founded the King Ranch in Texas. It became one of the largest ranches in the world.
• George W. McJunkin (1851–1922): An African American cowboy and ranch foreman. He was also an amateur archaeologist who found ancient bison bones.
• William "Bill" Pickett (1870–1932): An amazing cowboy who invented "bulldogging." This is a rodeo event where a cowboy wrestles a steer to the ground.
• Will Rogers (1879–1935): He started as a cowboy and became a famous entertainer. He was known for his rope tricks and humor.
• Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919): Before becoming president, Roosevelt was a rancher in North Dakota. He loved the cowboy life.
• Charles Angelo "Charlie" Siringo (1855–1928): He was a cowboy and later a detective. He wrote books about his adventures.
• John Ware (~1845–1905): A legendary African American cowboy in Canada. He was known for his strength and skill with horses.

Wild West Show and Rodeo Stars

After the frontier began to close, many cowboys and cowgirls found new ways to share their skills. They joined Wild West shows and rodeos. These shows traveled around, performing daring acts for audiences. Rodeos are competitions that test cowboy skills like riding and roping.

Iconic Performers

• William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody (1846–1917): He created the most famous Wild West show. It featured cowboys, Native Americans, and amazing stunts.
• James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok (1837–1876): A famous scout and gunfighter. He also performed in Buffalo Bill's early shows.
• May Lillie, née Manning (1869–1936): She was a sharpshooter and rider. May performed in "Pawnee Bill's Historic Wild West" show.
• Thomas E. "Tom" Mix (1880–1940): A real cowboy who became one of the first movie stars. He starred in many silent Western films.
• Lucille Mulhall (1885–1940): An amazing cowgirl who could rope, ride, and bulldog. She was one of the first female rodeo stars.
• Annie Oakley (1860–1926): A legendary sharpshooter. She was a star in Buffalo Bill's Wild West show. She could hit targets with incredible accuracy.
• Will Rogers (1879–1935): As mentioned before, he was a cowboy who became a beloved performer. He was famous for his rope tricks and witty jokes.

Fictional Cowboys and Cowgirls

The image of the cowboy is very popular in stories, movies, and cartoons. These fictional characters help keep the spirit of the Old West alive.

Popular Characters

• Hopalong Cassidy: A good-hearted cowboy hero from books, movies, and TV.
• Lucky Luke: A fast-drawing cowboy from a popular Belgian comic book series.
• Pecos Bill and Slue-Foot Sue: Legendary figures from American tall tales. Pecos Bill was said to be the greatest cowboy ever.
• Shane: The mysterious hero of a classic Western movie.
• Tonto: The loyal Native American companion of the Lone Ranger.
• Sheriff Woody and Jessie: Beloved cowboy and cowgirl toys from the Toy Story movies.
• Zorro: A masked hero who fights for justice in Old California. He is known for his sword and black costume.
• John Marston and Arthur Morgan: Main characters from the popular video game series Red Dead Redemption.

See also

• List of American Old West outlaws
• List of Western lawmen
• National Cowgirl Hall of Fame Honorees