In 1918, Philip Miller got off the train at Denver’s Union Station with a sample case of Miller Brothers cowboy hats, most of his worldly...
Little Miss Sure Shot’s Family Mementos
After earning $11,000 for charity, the “star of the occasion” was the ‘brisk and agile Annie Oakley, who cavorted around the ring, skipping and...
Top 10 Things To See In Tucson
My continuing search for the True West has led me here: to Bobo’s Restaurant, listening to the staff join some customers in whistling the “Colonel...
Preservation: Surrender Site
Surrender Site We now know just where the Mexican army surrendered to Sam Houston’s forces at the Battle of San Jacinto. You mean, the site was...
Pueblo Revival Living
People build homes in the West for many reasons. Mark and Linda Miller designed their 7,500-square foot home and adjacent casita in Santa Fe, New...
The Non-British “English” Sharps
Often referred to as the “English Model,” the 1877 Sharps was the last of the company’s sidehammer rifles and is considered by many as perhaps the...
Out to Lunch
“Venison used to be sold over the block here, just like beef.... “Mrs. Dan (Diudonne) Lajeunesse ran the Thomas Hotel for a time [1900]; she had...
The Evolution of Western Wear
A city kid visiting the West eyes a cowboy up and down, then asks him, “Mister, why do you wear a big hat?” “My hat protects my head from the sun,...
The Cheyenne Suitcase
Five months to the day after the Little Bighorn Battle commenced and ultimately resulted in the defeat of Custer and his 7th Cavalry, soldiers...
Skating In New Directions
I’m trying to avoid being trampled by a zillion tourists at the Santa Fe Indian Market or buried underneath an avalanche of roasted corn ears, and...
Living in a 100-Year-Old Mercantile
You might say the nesting instinct drew Lori Huff and her family back to Ten Sleep, Wyoming (population 304), but their journey was also motivated...
Movie Magic Muzzleloaders
In the heat of battle, the buckskin-clad Alamo defender raises his flintlock muzzleloading musket, takes quick aim at the oncoming Mexican soldados...