Cowboy culture is the set of behaviors, preferences, and appearances associated with (or resulting from the influence of) the attitudes, ethics, and history of the American cowboy. The term can describe the content or stylistic appearance of an artistic representation, often built on romanticized impressions of the wild west, or certain aspects of people's lifestyle, such as their choices in recreation (including enjoyment of Western movies and music), apparel, and western or southwestern cuisine.
Origins The origins of cowboy culture go back to the Spanish vaqueros who settled in Santa Fe de Nuevo México and Spanish Texas, bringing cattle. By the late 1800s, one in three cowboys were Mexican, and brought to the lifestyle its iconic symbols of hats, bandanas, spurs, stirrups, lariat, and lasso. With westward movement brought many distinct ethnicities all with their own cultural traditions. Welsh Americans, as one example, had a history in Wales of cattle and sheep droving, that incorporated well into ranch work.
Mythologizing In the late 19th century, folk tales about cowboys and attempts to commercialize on cowboy life by selling exaggerated ideas of it in novels and fashion became popular.
Dime novels
Beginning in the 1860s, dime novels began sharing erroneous and highly romanticized tales of the West, feeding the public's interest in the trade and life West of the Mississippi.
Radio, film and television
Throughout the 20th century, radio, film and television had a profound effect on the fashion and mannerisms that built the foundation of what it meant to be living a western lifestyle, however most of this was more Hollywood glitz and glamour than historical narrative.
Revival In the 1980s, following the urbanization of much of the Texas population, there was a marked revival of cowboy culture with the creation of a number of organizations devoted to its preservation, among them the American Cowboy Culture Association. Originally published by ABC-CLIO, : Santa Barbara, California, in 1994.
Notable people The following is a list of notable people who lived or are living a western lifestyle post to its technological and societal change at the beginning of the 20th century. This list does not include those of whom lived during the 19th century who were living in what was considered the Old West and preoccupied with the western norms of the day.
Art
Joe Beeler Albert Bierstadt painter Elsa Spear Byron, photographer George Catlin painter Evelyn Cameron, photographer, writer Deborah Copenhaver Fellows, sculptor Edward S. Curtis, photographer L. Frank Laura Gilpin, photographer Veryl Goodnight, sculptor Hildred Goodwine, illustrator Maria Martinez Georgia O'Keeffe George Phippen Frederic Remington, painter Charles Marion Russell Howard Terpning Frank McCarthy
Business
Minnie Lou Bradley, president of the American Angus Association Nellie Cashman Nudie Cohn Mary Colter, architect Margaret Formby, founder of National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame Temple Grandin, inventor Enid Justin, founder of Nocona Boot Company Anne Windfohr Marion, founder of the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum Anna Mebus Martin Mollie Taylor Stevenson Jr., founder of the American Cowboy Museum Jackie Worthington, founder of the Girls Rodeo Association
Film and television
Rex Allen, actor Wilford Brimley, actor, singer, cowboy Yakima Canutt, rodeo champion, actor, director Sunset Carson, actor Bill Cody Iron Eyes Cody, actor Robert Conrad, actor, singer Barry Corbin, actor Eddie Dean, singer, actor Joey Rocketshoes Dillon, singer-songwriter, gunslinger, actor, comedian Wild Bill Elliott Sam Elliot actor Helen Gibson actor, stunt woman Hoot Gibson Lorne Greene, actor, singer William S. Hart, actor, director, writer Jack Hoxie, rodeo performer, actor Al Jennings Ben Johnson, actor, stuntman, rodeo champion Lash LaRue, actor Tom Mix, actor Clayton Moore, actor Slim Pickens, actor, rodeo performer Charles Starrett, actor Bob Steele, actor Will Roberts, actor Will Rogers, actor, lasso expert, comedian, philanthropist Wes Studi, actor Fred Thompson, actor, politician Tom Tyler, actor John Wayne, actor Dennis Weaver, actor, environmental activist
Music
Roy Acuff Tommy Allsup Lynne Anderson Gene Autry, actor, singer-songwriter Junior Barnard Bill Barwick Joe Bethancourt Johnny Bond Bill Boyd Cecil Brower Milton Brown Joe Carr Bill Carson Wilf Carter Johnny Cash Al Clauser Patsy Cline Hurshul Clothier Cowboy Copas Eddie Dean, singer, actor Little Jimmy Dickens Jimmie Dolan Tommy Duncan Bob Dunn Don Edwards Dale Evans, actor, singer Juni Fisher Curley Fletcher Scott Franklin Porky Freeman Lefty Frizzell Girls of the Golden West Jack Guthrie Monte Hale, actor, singer Tom T. Hall Adolph Hofner Johnny Horton Billy Hughes Prince Albert Hunt Wanda Jackson Cody Johnson singer-songwriter, former rodeo Frankie Laine Fred LaBour Chris LeDoux, singer, rodeo champion Merl Lindsay Corb Lund and the Hurtin' Albertans Rose Maddox Joe Maphis Leon McAuliffe Patsy Montana Tiny Moore Moon Mullican Michael Martin Murphey Red Murrell Willie Nelson Bob Nolan Buck Owens Webb Pierce Ray Price The Quebe Sisters Band Leon Rausch Riders in the Sky Tex Ritter Jimmie Rodgers Marty Robbins Roy Rogers, actor, singer Smokey Rogers Tom Russell Eldon Shamblin Arkie Shibley Hank Snow Sons of the San Joaquin Sons of the Pioneers Tim Spencer Red Steagall Dave Stogner George Strait Hank Thompson Ernest Tubb Ian Tyson Porter Wagoner Jimmy Wakely Cindy Walker Kitty Wells Johnny Western Speedy West Paul Westmoreland John I. White Ray Whitley Slim Whitman Hank Williams Tex Williams Bob Wills
Literature
Andy Adams, fiction writer Don Bendell, author, rancher Eulalia Bourne Matt Braun, author, rancher Willa Cather Ralph Compton Robert J. Conley Walt Coburn, author and son of the founder of the noted Circle C Ranch Angie Debo Chris Enss Zane Grey, author and dentist Fred Grove Laura Ingalls Wilder, author Craig Johnson, author Terry C. Johnston Elmer Kelton Mike Kearby, author and inventor Louis L'Amour, novelist and short story writer Caroline Lockhart, journalist and author Stan Lynde, author and illustrator Larry McMurtry author Mari Sandoz Elizabeth Savage Thomas Savage Jack Schaefer
Poetry
S. Omar Barker Baxter Black Arthur Chapman Badger Clark Curley Fletcher Bruce Kiskaddon Wally McRae Joel Nelson Red Steagall Steven Fromholz Waddie Mitchell Paul Zarzyski
Politics
Ben Nighthorse Campbell Simón de Arocha
Rodeo and Wild West performer
Tillie Baldwin Faye Blackstone Earl W. Bascom, most decorated rodeo performer and an inventor of rodeo equipment, inducted into both American and Canadian pro rodeo halls of fame Everett Bowman Louis Brooks Trevor Brazile, world rodeo champion Ann Lowdon Call, Pleasure Driving champion Clay Carr Roy Cooper Tom R. Ferguson Lewis Feild Bee Ho Gray Prairie Rose Henderson, bronc rider Ryan Jarrett Hall of Fame rodeo champion Bill Linderman Phil Lyne Larry Mahan Bonnie McCarroll Vera McGinnis Dan Mortensen Lucille Mulhall Ty Murray Annie Oakley Alice Greenough Orr Lulu Bell Parr Benny Reynolds Ruth Roach Fern Sawyer Jim Shoulders Fannie Sperry Steele Buck Taylor Casey Tibbs, rodeo performer and actor Fred Whitfield, rodeo performer
Barrel racing
Mary Burger Wanda Harper Bush Sherry Cervi Charmayne James Martha Josey Mary Walker
Bull riding
Art Acord, rodeo champion, actor Warren G. Brown J.W. Harris Tuff Hedeman Scott Mendes Shane Proctor Charlie Sampson, bull rider Jim "Razor" Sharp Wesley Silcox Jan Youren Lane Frost
Roping
Mary Ellen (Dude) Barton Buck Brannaman Florence LaDue Dave Thornbury, lasso expert, trick rider
Riding
Anna Lee Aldred, trick rider Ken Maynard, trick rider, actor Pat North Ommert, trick rider, actor
Steer wrestling
Bill Pickett Cowboy Morgan Evans
Notable livestock and companions
Bucking bulls
Bushwacker, three-time World Champion Professional Bull Riders (PBR) bucking bull, PBR Heroes & Legends Celebration: Brand of Honor bull Bodacious, Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and PBR champion title holder, "world's most dangerous bull," Hall of Fame bull Bruiser, (2016-2018) consecutive three-time World Champion PBR bucking bull, 2017 PRCA Bucking Bull of the Year, in the running in 2019 to become first 4-time world champion Little Yellow Jacket (2002-2004) consecutive three-time World Champion PBR bucking bull, PBR Heroes and Legends inaugural 2011 Brand of Honor bull
Entertainment horses
Budweiser Clydesdales Buttermilk, Dale Evans horse Champion the Wonder Horse, Gene Autry's on screen companion, previously owned by Tom Mix Fritz, William S. Hart's silent film riding and stunt red pinto. Trigger, Roy Rogers companion palomino.
Rodeo horses
Scamper, 10 Women's Professional Rodeo Association World Barrel Racing Championships, 7 National Finals Rodeo Average championships, first barrel horse inducted into ProRodeo Hall of Fame Scottie, steer wrestling, the chestnut gelding was able to take three cowboys to four world championships, hall of fame horse
Notable entities
Businesses
Aztec Land & Cattle Company Buck Owens Crystal Palace, western themed restaurant and music hall High Noon Western Americana, western art and antique auction house LongHorn Steakhouse, western- and Texas-themed restaurant chain Texas Roadhouse, western-themed restaurant chain Saddle Ranch Chop House, western-themed restaurant chain
Events
Frontier Days (rodeo) Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival Stagecoach Days (Banning, California) Western Heritage Awards
Populated and ghost towns
Abilene, Kansas Bandera, Texas Bannack, Montana Bishop, California Bodie, California Buffalo, Wyoming Calico Ghost town Cody, Wyoming Columbia, California Deadwood, South Dakota Dodge City, Kansas Dunton Hot Springs, Colorado Durango, Colorado El Paso, Texas Elk Falls, Kansas Fort Sumner, New Mexico Garnet, Montana Idaho City, Idaho Julian, California Kanab, Utah Kennecott, Alaska Kenton, Oklahoma Laramie, Wyoming Lincoln, New Mexico Mogollon, New Mexico Oatman, Arizona Old Town San Diego, California Prescott, Arizona Randsburg, California Rhyolite, Nevada Shakespeare, New Mexico Sheridan, Wyoming St. Elmo, Colorado Telluride, Colorado Tombstone, Arizona Trinidad, Colorado Virginia City, Montana Virginia City, Nevada Vulture Mine, Arizona
Historic Properties
Dalton Gang Hideout and Museum Winchester Mystery House
Movie ranches still in operation
Big Sky Ranch Golden Oak Ranch Melody Ranch Paramount Ranch Old Tucson Studios Pioneertown, California Southfork Ranch Will Rogers State Historic Park
Museums
Autry Museum of the American West Bull Riding Hall of Fame Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame Oakdale Cowboy Museum Old Cowtown Museum in Wichita, Kansas ProRodeo Hall of Fame Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum, defunct Western Heritage Center Western Heritage Museum and Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame
Organizations
Academy of Western Artists Academy of Country Music American Cowboy Culture Association Cowboy Cartoonists International Cowboy Heritage Association of Fort Worth Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Western Writers of America Women's Professional Rodeo Association
Theme Parks
The American Adventure Theme Park Attractiepark Slagharen Bobbejaanland Bonnie Springs Ranch Buckskin Joe Cowboyland Fraispertuis City Frontier City Frontierland, Morecambe Ghost Town & Calico Railroad Ghost Town Village Gold Gulch High Chaparral Theme Park Hillerstorp Knotts Berry Farm ghost town Marshal Scotty's Playland Park Mini Hollywood Old Tucson Studios Old Vegas Six Gun Territory Texas Hollywood Western Leone Wild Waves Theme Park Wild West City Wild West World
Competitions
Cowboy action shooting
Notable media
Canadian Cowboy Country Magazine Cowboys & Indians Magazine True West Magazine
See also Gaucho culture Cowboy church Rodeo Western (genre)