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The American West in the 1800s wasn't just a setting for dime novels and Hollywood shootouts—it was a land of complex interactions, uneasy alliances, and sometimes violent clashes between two very different cultures. These 21 historical photographs offer a glimpse beyond the legends, showing both the rough-and-tumble lives of cowboys and the enduring spirit of Native Americans facing rapid change. These images are not romanticized fantasies but authentic portrayals from a time when the West's fate hung in the balance. Prepare to see beyond the stereotypes as we explore this tumultuous era through the faces of those who lived it.

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#1

Red Cloud And American Horse

Cowboy and Native American standing together in front of a tipi, authentic 1800s historic photo.

Grabill, John C. H. Report

Final score:
17points
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leeandalexis avatar
Lee Gilliland
Lee Gilliland
Community Member
Premium 7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Indian names like this come from the tradition of naming the child for the first thing to mother sees after giving birth.

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    #2

    The Interview

    Cowboys and Native Americans in traditional attire standing and talking outside a wooden building in the 1800s.

    Grabill, John C. H. Report

    Final score:
    15points
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    tessadawn79 avatar
    Tessa Dawn
    Tessa Dawn
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just clicked on name under photo

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    #3

    Ned Coy, A Famous Dakota Cowboy, Starts Out For The Cattle Round-Up With His Pet

    Cowboy riding a bucking horse in an authentic photo from the 1800s depicting cowboys and Native Americans.

    Grabill, John C. H. Report

    Final score:
    15points
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    #4

    Plenty Horses

    Native American man from the 1800s seated on a wooden chair, wearing traditional clothing and earrings in authentic photo.

    Grabill, John C. H. Report

    Final score:
    13points
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    #5

    A Young Oglala Girl Sitting In Front Of A Tipi, With A Puppy Beside Her, Probably On Or Near Pine Ridge Reservation

    Native American woman sitting outside a traditional teepee with a dog nearby in an authentic 1800s scene.

    Grabill, John C. H. Report

    Final score:
    13points
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    #6

    Roping Gray Wolf," Cowboys Take In A Gray Wolf On "Round Up," In Wyoming

    Five cowboys on horseback with a dog in an open plain, an authentic photo of cowboys and Native Americans in the 1800s.

    Grabill, John C. H. Report

    Final score:
    12points
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    kdrew7878 avatar
    RedMarbles
    RedMarbles
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Painful photo, for me anyway. Wondering what they planned to do with this wolf.

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    #7

    The Deadwood Coach

    Horse-drawn stagecoach with passengers in 1800s landscape, illustrating authentic photos of cowboys and Native Americans.

    Grabill, John C. H. Report

    Final score:
    12points
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    #8

    Home Of Mrs. American Horse

    Native Americans gathered inside a traditional tipi encampment with other tipis and a wagon in the 1800s scene.

    Grabill, John C. H. Report

    Final score:
    12points
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    #9

    The Cow Boy

    Cowboy wearing a wide-brimmed hat sitting on a saddled horse in an open field, 1800s authentic photo.

    Grabill, John C. H. Report

    Final score:
    11points
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    #10

    Little," The Instigator Of Indian Revolt At Pine Ridge, 1890

    Native American man in traditional feather headdress holding arrows and a pipe, authentic photo from the 1800s era.

    Grabill, John C. H. Report

    Final score:
    11points
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    #11

    Teenagers

    Three Native American men sitting outdoors in the 1800s, wearing period clothing and hats nearby, authentic photo.

    Grabill, John C. H. Report

    Final score:
    11points
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    dormahughes avatar
    Dorma Hughes
    Dorma Hughes
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Three of Uncle Sam's Pets"? WTH kind of caption is that?

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    #12

    Little," The Instigator Of Indian Revolt At Pine Ridge, 1890

    Native American in traditional attire seated between two cowboys wearing hats and late 1800s clothing.

    Grabill, John C. H. Report

    Final score:
    11points
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    #13

    A Pretty Group At An Indian Tent

    Native Americans in traditional clothing standing by a teepee with a cowboy on horseback in the 1800s West.

    Grabill, John C. H. Report

    Final score:
    10points
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    #14

    What's Left Of Big Foot's Band

    Group of Native Americans gathered outside teepees in the 1800s, showcasing authentic historical cowboy and Native American life.

    Grabill, John C. H. Report

    Final score:
    10points
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    #15

    Mines And Mills

    Vintage 1800s industrial site with large wood piles and buildings, reflecting the era of cowboys and Native Americans.

    Grabill, John C. H. Report

    Final score:
    9points
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    #16

    Chief Rocky Bear's Home

    Authentic 1800s photo of a cowboy on horseback and a Native American standing outside traditional teepees.

    Grabill, John C. H. Report

    Final score:
    9points
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    #17

    The Indian Girl's Home

    Group of Native Americans and cowboys gathered near tipis in an authentic 1800s western frontier setting.

    Grabill, John C. H. Report

    Final score:
    8points
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    #18

    Miles And Staff Viewing The Largest Hostile Indian Camp In The U.S., Near Pine Ridge, S. Dak., Jan 16, 1891

    Group of cowboys and Native Americans on horseback overlooking a campsite with tipis in the 1800s landscape.

    Grabill, John C. H. Report

    Final score:
    7points
    POST
    multanocte avatar
    Multa Nocte
    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Hostile"? Just because someone is kicking you off your land and trying to k**l you?

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    #19

    Indian Chiefs And U.S. Officials

    Group of cowboys and Native Americans gathered near tipis in an authentic 1800s historical photo.

    Grabill, John C. H. Report

    Final score:
    7points
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    #20

    Dinner Scene

    Dinner Scene

    Grabill, John C. H. Report

    Final score:
    6points
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    #21

    Viewing Hostile Indian Camp

    Four cowboys on horseback in an open area, showing authentic scenes of cowboys and Native Americans in the 1800s.

    Grabill, John C. H. Report

    Final score:
    6points
    POST
    master_minds9_1 avatar
    DennyS (denzoren)
    DennyS (denzoren)
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh...hostile huh...I wonder why they were hostile...maybe its because you want their land...but that's just a guess.

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