Historic Newspapers: The Wild West
The term "wild west" conjures many things in the mind—criminal outlaws like Billy the Kid or Jesse James, the California Gold Rush, or the folklore associated with the American frontier. We welcome you to browse our Wild West newspaper inventory or learn more about American Wild West newspapers at our main Wild West page.
Found 654 Results
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Item #688562THE TUOLUMNE INDEPENDENT, Sonora, Tuolumne County, California, April 8, 1882
* Outlaw Jesse James killed
* Robert & Charles Ford
Page 4 of this issue contains a very brief and inconspicuous report on the death of the notorious outlaw Jesse James. It reads in its entirety: "A report comes from Kansas City, Mo., that Jesse James, the... Read full description -
Item #688557DEMOCRATIC STATE JOURNAL, Dayton, Columbia County, Washington (Territory), July 13, 1883
* Rare old West publication
This is a volume 1 issue of a title we have never had before from Washington, 6 years before it would become a state. "Union List of American Newspapers" notes that it lasted for just 2... Read full description -
Item #688551THE CUERVO CLIPPER, Cuervo, Guadalupe County, New Mexico, March 17, 1911
* Rare ghost town publication
Essentially a ghost town today having been split by interstate 40, and from when New Mexico was still a territory as it did not gain statehood until 1912. The entire county has less than 4700 in population.
Four pages, nice condition. -
Item #688364ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Aug. 21, 1883
* Outlaw Frank James... Jesse James gang
* Gallatin, Missouri trial
* Nice to have on the front page of a Missouri newspaper
The top of the front page has column heads: "FRANK JAMES" "The Missouri Bandit Appears in Court at Gallatin" "The Trial Adjourned Until... Read full description -
Item #687623THE ARIZONA GAZETTE, Phoenix, Aug. 30, 1901
* Rare old West title
* Maricopa County
A territorial newspaper as Arizona would not join the Union until eleven years later. At this time the population of Phoenix was just 5,500.
Various news reports and advertisements of the day.
Eight pages, various chipping at the margins, rejoined at the spine. Good condition... Read full description -
Item #687622ARIZONA DAILY STAR, Tucson, April 24, 1906
* San Francisco earthquake
* Rare territorial publication
A territorial newspaper as Arizona would not join the Union until 6 years later.
The banner headline announces: "Latest News From Ruined City" with related subheads on the San Francisco earthquake & fire.
Eight... Read full description -
Item #687619ARIZONA DAILY STAR, Tucson, Aug. 11, 1900
* Rare old West publication
* Turn of the 20th century
* Bob Fitzsimmons boxing victory
A territorial newspaper as Arizona did not join the Union until 12 years later.
The top of the front page has column heads: "FITZSIMMONS THE WINNER" "He Does the Trick Easily in the... Read full description -
Item #687598THE TOMBSTONE EPITAPH, Arizona, July 14, 1881
* Best old West title to be had
* Virgil Earp report
Few could argue for a more recognizable title from the Old West, nor could any town be more linked to the romance of the West than this one. Tombstone is steeped in Western lore, and the several movies done concerning the... Read full description -
Item #687369NEW YORK TIMES, May 15, 1874
* Tiburcio Vasquez captured
* California bandido
* Los Angeles outlaw
The front page has a report of the capture of the infamous bandit Tiburcio Vasquez. Vasquez was a Mexican bandit who was active in California from as early as 1857 until his capture. The Vasquez Rocks, the steep, sloped rocks about 40... Read full description -
Item #687268GEORGETOWN GAZETTE, El Dorado County, California, Sept. 19, 1901
* Rare gold mining town publication
A very rare title from this now-historical site, the most northeastern town in California's Mother Lode mining territory near the Nevada border.
Less than 1000 people reside there today but in its heyday of the 1850's... Read full description -
Item #687264THE WORLD, San Diego, California, Aug. 22, 1874
* Rare Old West publication
A very early issue from this now-famous Southern California city, this issue published when the population was just 2,300.
Among the articles are: "Arizona" with several reports; "The Black Hills" "From Lower California" "All About San... Read full description -
Item #687226TOMBSTONE PROSPECTOR, Arizona, June 4, 1889
* Very rare wild West publication
* Gunfight at the O.K. Corral fame
We have had a few other newspapers from the iconic Old West town of Tombstone, but this is perhaps the most uncommon. The masthead features a great engraving of a miner on a mule.
The content is much as would be expected... Read full description -
Item #686982DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., April 27, 1849 Beginning on the front page is a nearly 1 1/2 column article: "An Englishman's Views o the Gold Mines of California" which has great content.
This is followed (on page 2) with: "Portable Diet For the Gold Diggers" with some practical advice. Page 3... Read full description -
Item #686981DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., April 25, 1849 Page 2 has nearly a full column on: "Bay of San Francisco & Dependent Country".
Page 3 has: "Overland Journey to California" "More California Gold" "Photography In A New Form" and: "A New California Enterprise".
... Read full description -
Item #686980DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., April 21, 1849 Page 2 has most of a column taken up with: "The Emigration to California" and: "The California Fever" and: "Government Expeditions to California" and: "More Overland California Companies". This is followed by most of a column headed:... Read full description -
Item #686979DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., April 19, 1849
* California gold rush
* Hardships for 49ers
Page 3 has: "Return of Californians" which has two accounts, one beginning: "It is just beginning to be discovered that this going to California is not the holyday business it is generally represented to... Read full description -
Item #686978DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., April 18, 1849 Most of the front page is taken up with the: "Speech of Mr. Palfrey On the Bill Creating a Territorial Government for Upper California" in the House of Rep.
Page 2 has: "Advice to California Emigrants" which has some fine content. Also on page 2 is: "Letters... Read full description -
Item #686977DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., April 16, 1849
* John C. Fremont
* Fatal 4th expedition
Page 2 has nearly two columns headed: "Col. Fremont & His Party - Further & Final Accounts" which is concerning his fateful fourth expedition in the West during which his party was caught in a snowstorm in... Read full description -
Item #686842THE EVENING TELEGRAPH, Philadelphia, April 5, 1882
* Outlaw Jesse James assassination
Page 4 has a great editorial concerning the recent (killed 2 days prior) death of Jesse James which includes: "It is somewhat of a shock to the moral sense...to ear the frank statement of the Governor of Missouri that the deliberate murder of the outlaw... Read full description -
Item #686065SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, 1871
* Rare & early from Southern California
A lot of four issues which are very early from San Diego--a volume 2 issue--when the population was just 2300, with a nice engraving of the harbor in the masthead.
All four pages have various news tidbits of the day, including local, regional, and... Read full description -
Item #685737ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Missouri, Sept. 2, 1883
* Outlaw Frank James
* Jesse James gang
* Gallatin trial ending
Page 4 has most of a column headed: "NEARING THE END" "Th Trial of Frank James at Gallatin Drawing to a Close" "Testimony All In and Arguments to Begin Monday" "The Court's Order... Read full description -
Item #685736ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Jan. 13, 1884 Almost the first two columns of page 9 are taken up with a great article extolling the virtues of California, headed; "CALIFORNIA'S PROSPERITY" "A Glance at the State's Growth in the Past Year" "Rapid Increase of San Francisco in Wealth and Trade--All Industries... Read full description -
Item #684838NEVADA DAILY TRANSCRIPT, Nevada City, California, Sept. 13, 1879
* Rare Old west publication
This town (formerly known as Deer Creek Dry Diggins) was the most important mining town in California in the 1850's. It is situated close to the Nevada border a bit northwest of Lake Tahoe. The historic district today is listed on the National... Read full description -
Item #684830SAN RAFAEL HERALD, California, March 2, 1876 An uncommon title from this city in the North Bay area of San Francisco Bay.
A typical newspaper of the day with a wealth of local news and a wealth of advertisements as well. Page 3 has a lengthy report headed: "SAN QUENTIN" "Disastrous Fire at the State Prison" "The... Read full description -
Item #684821MARIN COUNTY TOCSIN, San Rafael, California, Dec. 25, 1880
* Rare old West publication
An uncommon title from the Bay Area, just north of San Francisco. A typical newspaper of the day with a variety of local, regional, and national reports, plus a great wealth of advertisements, many of which are illustrated.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed,... Read full description -
Item #684819MARYSVILLE DAILY STANDARD, California, July 27, 1872
* Rare Old West publication
In the days of the California Gold Rush, Marysville was a stopping point for riverboats from Sacramento and San Francisco that carried miners on their way to the digging grounds. A sign on the roadside as one enters Marysville carries the slogan: "Gateway to... Read full description -
Item #684659THE WEEKLY TIMES, The Dalles, Wasco County, Oregon, Oct. 12, 1880
* Rare old West publication
This is the volume 1, number 25 issue of a title which is quite rare, as Gregory (Union Lit of American Newspapers) notes that it only lasted less than 1 1/2 years, and only the Bancroft Library has an incomplete file. No other institutional holdings are... Read full description -
Item #684650SACRAMENTO DAILY RECORD-UNION, California, Jan. 29, 1879
* Wild old West
* Rare publication
Various news of the day from this northern California town, the capital of California.
The news and advertisements found within these pages provide an interesting perspective of life in California from just 30 years after the Gold Rush.
Complete... Read full description -
Item #684597THE LAKEPORT AVALANCHE, California, March 11, 1871
* Rare Old West publication
A quite rare title from this town 125 miles north of Sacramento. Former names include Forbestown, Rocky Point, Stony Point, Tuckertown, and Kaci-Badon.This is the volume 1, number 2 issue.
The content within is somewhat secondary to the rarity... Read full description -
Item #684594THE CONTRA COSTA GAZETTE, Pacheco, California, May 20 1871
* Rare Old West publication
An early newspaper from northern California, just east of San Francisco on the bay. It published in Pacheco until 1873 when it was removed to Martinez, California.
Complete in 4 pages, never bound nor trimmed with wide margins, great condition. Folder size noted is for... Read full description -
Item #684588THE WEEKLY OREGONIAN, Portland, Oct. 8, 1881
* Rare old West publication
A wide range of various local reports, many crime-related. A wealth of advertising as well.
Eight pages, never bound nor trimmed, subscriber's label on the front page, minor margin wear, good condition. -
Item #684585FOOT-HILL WEEKLY TIDINGS, Grass Valley, California, Jan. 17, 1874
* Rare old West publication
* Many interesting advertisements
This town in Northern California was formally named "Boston Ravine" and then "Centerville". It began as a mining town, situated at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range in... Read full description -
Item #684542MORNING OREGONIAN, Portland, Nov. 3, 1880
* Rare publication
* Wild old West era
An early issue from Portland, filled with various local and regional news reports of the day along with a wide range of advertisements.
Four pages, large folio size, some archival mends, minor margin wear. Folder size noted is for the issue folded in half. -
Item #684541THE WEST END NEWS, Alameda, California, April 6, 1881
* Wild Old West
* Rare publication
Alameda is essentially an island in San Francisco Bay, adjacent to Oakland. This is the volume 1, number 2 issue containing various news items and a wealth of ads. This title would soon change its name to: "The... Read full description -
Item #684510SALEM DAILY RECORD, Oregon, July 27, 1874 A very rare title as this is a volume issue of a newspaper that existed for just over one year. Gregory notes that only 3 institutions have any holdings, one of which has but a single issue.
Today Salem is the capital of Oregon. Page 3 has nearly a full column article on: "The Gervais Excursion"... Read full description -
Item #684506GRASS VALLEY DAILY TIDINGS & FREE LANCE, California, Oct. 24, 1881
* Rare old West publication
* Many interesting advertisements
Grass Valley, which was originally known as Boston Ravine and later named Centerville, dates from the California Gold Rush. Gold was discovered at Gold Hill in October, 1850 and population grew around the... Read full description -
Item #684502VALLEJO DAILY INDEPENDENT, California, Nov. 29, 1873
* Rare Old West publication
A quite scarce newspaper from this town in the northern portion of the San Francisco Bay. It was named after Don Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, the famed California general and statesman. He was a leading proponent of California's statehood and one of... Read full description -
Item #684501GRASS VALLEY REPUBLICAN, Grass Valley, Nevada County, California, March 8, 1872
* Rare wild old West publication
Grass Valley, which was originally known as Boston Ravine and later named Centerville, dates from the California Gold Rush. Gold was discovered at Gold Hill in October, 1850 and population grew around the mine. When a post... Read full description -
Item #684499SALT LAKE DAILY HERALD, Salt Lake City, Utah, Dec. 25, 1886
* Mormons - Mormonism
This was still a Territorial newspaper as Utah would not become a state for another ten years.
This is a somewhat social 26 page edition, which includes "The Christmas Herald" as well, and also includes a review of the events... Read full description -
Item #684498CALIFORNIA POLITICAL RECORD, San Francisco, Jan. 14, 1882 This is the volume 1, number 2 issue of a newspaper which lasted just 2 1/2 years. Nice patriotic engraving in the masthead. The front page has a print of William H. Bodfish captioned: "Honest But Queer" and page 3 has a print of; "Old Honesty - Maurice C. Blake,... Read full description -
Item #684497MARYSVILLE WEEKLY APPEAL, California, May 28, 1875
* Rare Old West publication
In the days of the California Gold Rush, Marysville was a stopping point for riverboats from Sacramento and San Francisco that carried miners on their way to the digging grounds. A sign on the roadside as one enters Marysville carries the slogan: "Gateway to The... Read full description -
Item #684317SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, Oct. 15, 1871
* Rare & early from Southern California
Very early from San Diego--a volume 2 issue--when the population was just 2300, with a nice engraving of the harbor in the masthead. All four pages have various news tidbits of the day, including local, regional, and national reports. A... Read full description -
Item #684312SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, Oct. 6, 1871 Very early from San Diego--a volume 2 issue--when the population was just 2300, with a nice engraving of the harbor in the masthead.
The front page has: "Arizona - Gen. Crook at Fort Whipple" with several reports.
Four pages, 12 by 18 inches, printed on high-quality... Read full description -
Item #684311SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, Oct. 5, 1871 Very early from San Diego--a volume 2 issue--when the population was just 2300, with a nice engraving of the harbor in the masthead.
The front page has a column taken up with: "A Trip in the Mountains" which mentions the town of Julian and many others.
Also on the front... Read full description -
Item #683833DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 1858
* Fraser Canyon Gold Rush
* British Columbia River
Page 3 has over half a column taken up with: "The Fraser River Gold Regions", the latest gold rush, this one in British Columbia. Considerable detail.
Four pages, nice condition. Folder size noted is for the issue... Read full description -
Item #683832DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Sept. 16, 1858 Page 3 has an article: "Capt. Townsend of the Slaver" which begins: "Capt. Townsend, so called, of the slaver Echo, was brought before the U.S. Commissioner...It was distinctly proved that the Echo attempted to escape before her character was... Read full description -
Item #683694THE WEST SIDE CITIZEN, Villa Park, Colorado, Dec. 12, 1890
* Very rare publication
Although once a separate town, Villa Park today is a neighborhood of Denver, about 4 miles west of downtown.
This is a very rare title, as only one institution is recorded in Gregory (Union List of American Newspapers) as having any issues and that... Read full description -
Item #683684DEADWOOD DAILY PIONEER, Black Hills, (South Dakota) July 27, 1889 This city would arguably be--along with Tombstone & Dodge City--one of the more famous of all the towns from the rough & tumble days of the Old West, and only rarely do such issues come to light. It attracted larger-than-life Old West figures including Wyatt... Read full description -
Item #683682DEADWOOD DAILY PIONEER, Black Hills, (South Dakota) July 25, 1889 This city would arguably be--along with Tombstone & Dodge City--one of the more famous of all the towns from the rough & tumble days of the Old West, and only rarely do such issues come to light. It attracted larger-than-life Old West figures including Wyatt... Read full description -
Item #683675POLITICAL RECORD, San Francisco, California, Oct. 31, 1894
* Adolph Sutro - mayor of San Francisco
* Virginia City, Nevada Comstock Lode fame
True to its title, this issue is filled with political reports including images of 19 politicians. Also of interest is a back page print captioned: "Our Sutro", being Adolph Sutro who was... Read full description
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Full Contact Information
