20 Myths About The Wild West We’ve All Been Confusing As Facts

The Old West is such a central part of the American story that most of us probably think we know rather a lot about it. But how much of our knowledge is actually based on myths spun by movies, TV shows and dime novels? Well, as it turns out, quite a lot. So saddle up, partner, and read on to learn how everything we thought we knew about the Old West is simply not true. You might be quite surprised!

20. The U.S. invented cowboys

Cowboys have just got to be a U.S. invention, right? Totally wrong! The original cowboys – whom we should properly call vaqueros – long pre-date the cowboys of the American West. And they actually started riding the range south of the border in Mexico.

These Mexican cowboys date back to not long after Spain’s arrival in Central America in the 16th century. But even back then, the vaqueros built a reputation for their outstanding horsemanship and rope skills. From the 18th century, though, ranching spread north into modern-day Texas, Arizona and New Mexico. And the American cowboy was born. Yee-haw!

19. Sitting Bull led his men into battle at Little Bighorn

You know about the 1876 Battle of Little Big Horn, right? You probably think it was a conflict between two determined leaders. They were General George Custer of the 7th Cavalry and Chief Sitting Bull of the Hunkpapa Lakota Sioux, who led the Native Americans. Only... this isn’t really true.

For his part, Sitting Bull was the leader of the united Sioux and Cheyenne tribes who fought and killed Custer. But he wasn’t the military leader on the day of the Little Bighorn action. He was at the scene, but he stayed behind in the settlement that Custer had planned to attack. The man credited as the principal leader was actually Crazy Horse – an Oglala Lakota Sioux.