Curated OER
The Texas Cowboy: Myth and Reality
Seventh graders distinguish fact from myth when discussing the history of cowboys. They observe, discuss, and analyze works of art that refer to the cowboy lifestyle.
PBS
Pbs: Archives of the West: The Life and Adventures of Buffalo Bill
Read the version of Buffalo Bill Cody's autobiography, from this text originally published in 1917. Presented as html text chapter by chapter, it makes interesting reading.
Bullock Texas State History Museum
Bullock Museum: Vaqueros
Hear the campfire stories of the people who embody Texas. Learn about the cowboy way; how to rope and ride.
Other
Epcc Libraries: Borderlands: Black Cowboys Rode the Trails, Too 21 (2002)
Faculty-edited college student articles on the US-Mexico border giving insight to what life was like for black cowboys in the late 1800s. The article explains how many were ex-slaves that became cowboys after Emancipation, what their job...
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Texas Ranch House
What was it like to be a cowboy in 1867? Visit the Cooke Ranch and explore a cowboy's working and dwelling quarters. Play the interactive games to learn about the many aspects of daily life in the American West. (Click "Interactive...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: School Publishers: Join a Cattle Drive
At this site take a look at maps of cattle drives from the ranches and ranges of Texas to the market places in Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming.
Other
Galileo Educational Network: Our Roots: Cowboy Culture
Cowboy culture and its relation to Canadian identity and heritage. Explore to hear cowboy songs and stories and see scenes of cowboy life.
Other
Seymour Chamber of Commerce: The Great Western Cattle Trail
Learn about the Great Western Cattle Trail, that was used in the 1800s, and stretched from Bandera, Texas to Dodge City Kansas.
Other
Buffalo Bill History: Buffalo Bill's Life
Read about the legendary William F. Cody, more commonly known as Buffalo Bill, whose Wild West shows legitimized the cowboy life.
Other
Food Timeline: 19th Century American Foodways: Cowboy Cooking
Find some recipes for 19th century cowboy food, menu suggestions for creating cowboy cook-outs at the elementary, middle and high school levels, and many suggestions about other information sources.
Authors Calendar
Author's Calendar: Louis L Amour
Provides biographical information, extensive list of L'Amour's works and film adaptations, and a bibliography "for further reading."
![Oklahoma Historical Society: Story of an Oklahoma Cowboy, William Mc Ginty [Pdf] Primary](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Oklahoma Historical Society: Story of an Oklahoma Cowboy, William Mc Ginty [Pdf] Primary")
Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma Historical Society: Story of an Oklahoma Cowboy, William Mc Ginty [Pdf]
An article describing the life of the famous cowboy who was also one of Teddy Roosevelt's "Rough Riders". The article provides details about his wife including her work in the U.S. Post Office.
Other
Southwest Collection: The Texas Ranching Frontier
Discusses the cattle drive era that occurred in the late 1800s. It gives details about the drives from Texas to the north.
Legends of America
Legends of America
"A Travel Site for the Nostalgic and History Minded". If you love history, you'll love this site. Featured is much detailed information on history, people, legends, ghost towns, outlaws, and so much more.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Nevada
Use this site to explore the rich history of Nevada. Learn about Native American culture from the past and in the future.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Wyoming
Come and find out why so many people travel to see "Old Faithful." Do you know which state has the smallest population? Use this site to discover the unique characteristics of Wyoming.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: See, Hear and Sing
Lots of history of American music with fun links and audio clips, most from the 20th century. A neat site to learn more about America's past.
The Best Notes
The Best Notes: Shane by Jack Schaefer
This is an online study guide for the western novel Shane by Jack Schaefer including author information, literary elements, chapter-by-chapter summaries/notes, study questions, and analysis.
BBC
Bbc Newsround: Week of 3 10 14: The Maths Behind Cowboy Tricks Revealed
Article reports on the math and physics behind several challenging cowboy rope tricks.
Other
Cowboy Photographer: Erwin E. Smith
Learn about cowboys and the early west through Mr. Smith's art. Teaching resources are also supplied.
Texas State Historical Association
Texas State Historical Association: Ranching
Read about the history of ranching in the state of Texas, and how this practice shaped the state's history.
ArgentinaXplora.com
Argentinaexplora.com: El Gaucho
Spanish content; the Argentinian cowboy, the gaucho, is discussed in this short explanantion with photos.
Other
Ellis County Museum: Texas Cattle Trails
This article surveys the cattle kingdom and cattle boom in Ellis County, Texas that started in the 1840s.
Library of Congress
Loc: Buckaroos in Paradise: Ranching Culture in Nevada
This collection of historically significant documents, films, and photos tell the story of Nevada ranching community culture from the 1800s through late 20th century. Curriculum connections are included.