Are There Still Any Real Cowboys Out West?

Edward M. Bury, APR

Oct 30

This sculpture at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Arena embodies the American cowboy. Held in July, the event is billed as the World's Largest Outdoor Rodeo and Western Celebration. Perhaps we'll return next year to take in this truly American event.

By Edward M. Bury, APR, MA (aka The PRDude)
For the record, I've been out west many times and have visited many states known for being home to that iconic American hero, the cowboy. But my travels never included a state and town perhaps most closely affiliated with cowboys -- Cheyenne, Wyoming.

So, last week, Susan and I boarded a plane to Denver, then drove 90-plus miles north to Cheyenne. One key purpose of the journey was to relax and take in the historic Wyoming capitol city and surrounding open plains. But I had another objective: To learn more about the men who tamed the wild west and cultivated the myths that provided the foundation for fiction, film, and legend.

Over the years, I've dressed up as a cowboy -- as a Boomer of course while a kid -- and even later as an adult for Halloween (which if you check the calendar is tomorrow). And, I've enjoyed the many, many episodic portrayals of wranglers on classic television programs and in the cinema.

But there had to be more to cowboys than wide-brimmed hats, chaps, chewing tobacco, spurs, six guns, and horses. Unfortunately, during our short time in Cheyenne we did not encounter a "real" modern cowboy strolling through town; however, the guide (a transplant from California) who ushered us an others on a 90-minute bus tour of the town did wear a hat, vest, and pearl handled revolver -- which we assumed was not real.

Still, I can always rekindle thoughts of cowboys through music. Along with classic songs like "Home on the Range," there are countless others that were influenced by cowboy lore and legend. These range from Willie Nelson's well-known ballad, "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys," to lesser known rock-oriented numbers like "Cowboy Song" by the now-gone great guitar-based Irish quartet Thin Lizzy and "Cheyenne," a pop-focused tune from the Del-Lords, a New Jersey band.

Back to our trip. The current major exhibit at the Denver Museum of Modern Art provided some excellent insight into the history behind the ranch hands better known as the cowboy. Titled "Cowboy," the exhibit dispels myths that cowboys were only macho white men.

Before you engage in some images from our trip, I will share one more recollection. While we did not encounter a cowboy, on our drive back south to Denver, there along Interstate 25 near the Colorado/Wyoming state line was a herd of buffalo, grazing along the high plain.

Despite nearly being made extinct due to man's greed, carnage, and stupidity, a true part of the American West lives on.

The Wrangler store on Lincolnway Road in Cheyenne makes it pretty clear: This business sells attire for cowboys, and those who want to be cowboys.

The historic Cheyenne Depot assuredly was a dropping off point for many a cowboy during its long history. During our tour of the Depot Museum, we gained a great deal of insight into the role the railroad played in the development of the American West -- and the role played by cowboys.

Not sure if real cowboys wore boots this colorful, or this large. But we encountered other examples while strolling downtown Cheyenne.

Around 45 miles west of Cheyenne sits the town of Laramie, home of the University of Wyoming, the state's only four-year university. Yes, it's also somewhat of a cowboy town, given the wide streets.

Relaxing along the high plains between Laramie and Cheyenne, I wondered how many cowboys -- and most certainly buffalo -- crossed the landscape over the years.

A bonus: On our way to Denver, we found the college town of Fort Collins to be a very well-preserved and welcoming town. Lots of students around, but no cowboys.

The newly remodeled Union Station in Denver. Opened in 1914, this impressive transportation structure replaced a late 19th Century station that probably served a few cowboys.