Lil' Buckaroos

Kids have been playing "Cowboys & Indians" almost since the opening of the American frontier began. By the 1870s sensational (and mostly fictitious) accounts of the exploits of Buffalo Bill, Wild Bill Hickok and others were available in the so called "Dime Novels" of the day. These luridly illustrated paperbacks were published to appeal to young boys and appeal they did. Many of the legends of the Old West, some persisting to this day, originated in these cheap books that were often written by Easterners who'd never even been West.

By the turn of the century the newly invented medium of the cinema was showing dramas that depicted Western story lines. One of the first and perhaps the most famous was "The Great Train Robbery". Seeing the life and death struggles of cowboys, indians, outlaws and lawmen played out on the screen only encouraged youngsters to imitate the scenes in their play. Almost every boy participated and soon many girls too.

In the picture above, which dates from the early 20th century, a couple of boys act out a gunfight scenario in what looks to be an actual Western location. How lucky are they?

By the late 40's, early '50s a would be cowboy could buy just about everything he needed for a complete outfit. This kid is hardcore, camping out in backyard!


This fortunate little fella has two guns, just like the silver screen heroes seen in the Saturday matinee. Looks like he knows what to do with them too!

This cute little cowgirl has a complete outfit -- including the ever present cap gun.

And perhaps the luckiest kid of all, though indeed, he my be a little too young to appreciate it. The handsome pony is splendidly fitted out in the best manner, complete with a Winchester rifle that is so realistic that it's hard to tell if is real or a toy. The animal and his tack are far superior to that offered by the door to door photographers found wandering neighborhoods enticing kids and their parents to buy pictures of the little buckaroo atop the pony. I have a feeling the pony is a gift from an adoring relative or family friend.

Kid's games of "Cowboys & Indians" probably reached its high point in the 1950's. After that other interests, like science fiction and eventually video games, began to push interest in the Old West and its characters aside. Today Western movies occasionally capture significant box-office interest but it is mainly driven by adults, in most cases those same kids seen in these pictures -- now grown up and nostalgic for an earlier time.

But it was fun while it lasted!