We didn’t become fascinated with the Wild West until Hollywood gave us gunfights at high noon and heroic outlaws. 

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 When we think of the Wild West, we conjure up certain characters in our imaginations. But none are more iconic than the outlaw.

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Hollywood portrays the Wild West as a tough man’s world. Yet, there were some who refused to be labeled. 

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The post office has a saying about mail delivery in all kinds of weather. Meet Mary, a mail carrier in the West whose story is nothing short of a Western novel. 

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Gold. New lives. Second chances. The West provided many opportunities. But conquering the land often came at a high cost. Here’s the story of one of the most well-known families on the frontier: the Ingalls. 

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 Getting from East to West was difficult, especially for those who chose the Oregon Trail. Survival meant timing their passage and path just right. Those who didn’t served as a dire warning to others.  

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With westward expansion came the Homestead Act. What followed was nothing short of horrific for the people already occupying the land.

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From Stetson hats to barbed wire, this episode sheds some light on little-known Wild West icons and how they came to be. 

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The French, Spanish, and the Americans believed that heading west was a divine calling. This is the story of when beliefs cross the line into territory more dangerous than the land itself.

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The Gold Rush became a beacon of hope for many. They headed West to seek their fortunes. But Americans weren’t the only ones looking for a better life.  

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