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 668 Results
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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 -
Item #683650DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Sept. 10, 1858 Page 3 has: "Utah" which reports on the territorial elections and other news items from Utah.
Four pages, small piece from the top margin of the back leaf, nice condition. Folder size noted is for the issue folded in half. -
Item #683381THE NEW NORTHWEST, Portland, Oregon, Aug. 24, 1882 A great title for a newspaper from this part of the country in the 19th century. Among the articles are: "Coastward Wanderings Continued" "Letter From Lafayette" "Our Schools" "Practical Politics" "A Man's Requirements" & much... Read full description -
Item #683289SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, Sept. 20, 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.... Read full description -
Item #683228THE MISSOURI REPUBLICAN, St. Louis, Feb. 20, 1880 The front page has a wealth of articles that are iconic of the Wild West, including: "Dangerous Freaks of a Colorado Cattle King" "He Attempts to Slaughter a Car Full of People" "Moonshiners Arrested" "Cattle Thieves Arrested" "Indicted for Murder"... Read full description -
Item #683223THE PHILADELPHIA PRESS, July 11, 1881
* Cowboy Thomas Harper hanging
* Outlaw Curly Bill Brocius friend
The back page has a rather brief article headed: "A Cowboy Hanged" "Thomas Harper's Behavior on the Scaffold--A Warning Letter".
It notes: "Thomas Harper, a cowboy, was hanged at Tucson, Arizona,... Read full description -
Item #683036THE WEST SIDE CITIZEN, Villa Park, Colorado, Nov. 28, 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 collection... Read full description -
Item #682778THE MISSOURI REPUBLICAN, St. Louis, March 18, 1880 The top of the front page has column heads: "Masked Murderers" "the Jail at Winchester, Illinois, Seized by a Mob" "One of the Prisoners Confined There is Riddled With Bullets" with much detail on the lynching.
Page 2 has: "Indian Affairs - Our On the White River... Read full description -
Item #682768SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, Oct. 20, 1871
* Peshtigo fire disaster - Wisconsin
* Old wild West original
* Interesting advertisements
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 full column taken up with: "A... Read full description -
Item #682741SACRAMENTO DAILY UNION, California, Nov. 10, 1868
* Wild Old West
* Rare publication
* Post Civil War
Among the articles in this issue are: "A Hypothesis as to the Cause for Earthquakes" "Political Changes in California" "Woman's Rights" "The Loss of Hooker - A Touching Tribute to a Stricken and Bereft... Read full description -
Item #682489ARIZONA CITIZEN, Tucson, Pima County, A.T. (Arizona Territory), Jan. 16, 1875
* Very rare Old West publication
A very early & rare title from Southern Arizona published 37 years before Arizona would become a state.
Among the articles: "The Killing of William Moore" "Improvements About Town" "Local Mining... Read full description -
Item #682485PEOPLE'S ADVOCATE, Austin, Nevada, Oct. 31, 1891
* Very rare old West publication
A rare title from this small town at the very center of Nevada, at an elevation of 6575 feet. It was a booming silver mining area in the 1800's when the population exceeded 10,000. Today the population is 192. This newspaper lasted... Read full description -
Item #682481FOOT-HILL WEEKLY TIDINGS, Grass Valley, California, Jan. 24, 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 #682469THE NAPA JOURNAL, Napa, California, April 3, 1884
* Rare Old West publication
* Wine country
This is the first issue published, the volume 1, number 1 issue. Page 2 begins with: "Our Introduction" in which the publisher states the format of the newspaper. Much reporting from California & other news as well.
Four... Read full description -
Item #682454THE PHILADELPHIA PRESS, Aug. 24, 1881
* Orange TX Texas
* Lawlessness - lynchings
Top of the front page has column heads: "EIGHT MEN LYNCHED" "Notorious Desperadoes Summarily Disposed Of In Texas" "An Exasperated Community Compelled to Take the Law in Their Own Hands--A Story of Crime and Punishment".
An... Read full description -
Item #682307THE MISSOURI REPUBLICAN, St. Louis, Feb. 10, 1880 The front page has a report headed: "Triple Lynching Affair" from Las Vegas, New Mexico, noting in part: "The cow boys...implicated in the shooting of Carson...were dragged from their cells this morning by a mob of 75 armed men...victims were dragged to the central plaza &... Read full description -
Item #682304CANON CITY RECORD, Canon City, Colorado, Aug. 5, 1897
* Very rare publication
A scarce title, the first we have offered. The format is typical of the day with a various of local and regional reports, and a wealth of advertising.
Four pages, printed on high-quality newsprint in a pinkish tone, very nice condition. -
Item #682279MOUNTAIN AND PLAIN, Denver, Colorado, July 14, 1911
* Rare from the Rocky Mountains
One of the few newspapers we have seen which has a photograph in the masthead, in this case a photo of the Rocky Mountains.
Page 3 has part of a continuing article: "Denver's Assets" with a photo.
The volume one, number 2... Read full description -
Item #682188THE MISSOURI REPUBLICAN, St. Louis, Feb. 7, 1880
* Black Donnellys massacre
* Lucan, Ontario, Canada
Page 2 begins with an account of the "Black Donnellys' " funeral at Lucan, Ontario, Canada.
The "Black" Donnellys were an Irish Catholic immigrant family who settled in Ontario, Canada. The Donnellys' ongoing... Read full description -
Item #682187THE NEW MEXICAN REVIEW, Santa Fe, March 30, 1899
* Before New Mexico became a state
This is a territorial newspaper as New Mexico did not become a state until 1912.
The front page has an article & photo on: "Captain George Curry - New Sheriff of Otero County". Curry would become governor of New Mexico Territory from... Read full description -
Item #682091NEW YORK HERALD, Aug. 10, 1864 Among the front page column heads on the Civil War are: "FOSTER" "General Jones Brought to Terms" "Farragut" "Daring Reconnaissance of the Rebel Fleet in Mobile Bay" "Sherman" "Grant!" "Order of General Butler Regarding Negro Enlistments"... Read full description -
Item #681279NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Dec. 23, 1848 The front page has several items on the California Gold Rush including: "California Adventurers" beginning: "The 'stream of human life' is now setting as irresistibly towards California...The gold attraction is so strong that few are willing to lose... Read full description -
Item #681133THE PHILADELPHIA PRESS, July 16, 1881 The front page has 3 accounts of recent hangings: "A Double Execution - The First Judicial Hanging in Lee County, Arkansas". It begins: "Isaac Green and John Hardin, both negroes, were hanged here to-day in the presence of about 5,000 persons...".
The other is headed:... Read full description -
Item #680961THE ARIZONA GAZETTE, Phoenix, July 28, 1901 The ftpg. has a short report: "Tramp Robbers" noting: "Two tramps held up Nels Peterson & Benj. Anderson on the train near Belle Plaine...robbing both & beating Peterson & shooting Anderson. Anderson was then thrown from the train & his head cut off by the wheels."
Eight... Read full description -
Item #680900MOUNTAIN AND PLAIN, Denver, Colorado, Sept. 22, 1911 One of the few newspapers we have seen which has a photograph in the masthead, in this case a photo of the Rocky Mountains.
The front page is part of a continuing article: "Denver's Assets" with a photo.
A volume one issue, 16 pages, 9 by 12 inches, printed on... Read full description -
Item #680784DAILY ALTA CALIFORNIA, San Francisco, Aug. 29, 1868 A large size newspaper of four pages with a wealth of both local news events and local advertisements. Never bound nor trimmed, 3 folds with minor wear at a fold juncture.
Early California from just 19 years after the Gold Rush. Folder size noted is for the issue folded in... Read full description -
Item #679762THE EVENING TRIBUNE, San Diego, California, July 5, 1901 Page 7 has over a full column taken up with: "TACTICS OF BANDITS" "A Raid That Was All Carefully Planned In Advance" "How Men Like three Younger and the James Brothers Could Ride Into a Town in Broad Daylight, Rob a Bank and Get Away". A... Read full description -
Item #679173WEEKLY TRINITY JOURNAL, Weaverville, California, May 20, 1876 A rare issue from this Northern California town and uncommon to find from the 19th century. The Weekly Trinity Journal gives an inside peek to daily life 100 years after the founding of The United States of America. Quirky and fascinating headlines include: "A MIGHTY... Read full description -
Item #678651THE NEW YORK TIMES, April 23, 1873
* Modoc Indian War
* Lava Beds - Captain Jack
* Second Battle of the Stronghold
The top of the front page has a one column heading: "THE HOSTILE INDIANS" with smaller subheads. Text takes up about 1 1/2 columns.
Other news of the day throughout. Twelve pages, nice condition. -
Item #678597MISSION MIRROR, San Francisco, Dec. 13, 1879 Printed in the masthead is: "The only Paper Wholly Printed and Published at the Mission, a Locality Containing 20,000 Inhabitants." This would be the famous Mission Delores, still located on 16th St. (see photos & the hyperlink).
Page 2 has a political... Read full description -
Item #678583TRUCKEE REPUBLICAN, California, Aug. 1, 1874
* Wild Old West
* Uncommon publication
From this town at the "elbow" of California near the Nevada border at an elevation of 5800 ft. Historically well known for the Donner Party tragedy which happened nearby in 1846.
Typical news items of the day with a great wealth of ads. One... Read full description -
Item #678391THE WEST COAST SIGNAL, Eureka, California, May 14, 1873
* Rare Old West publication
From this town in Northern California just south of the Oregon border. It was once a lumbering town & today the entire city is a state historic landmark with its many Victorian homes, etc.
Page 2 has a report beginning: "We have news of the... Read full description -
Item #677540THE EVENING TRIBUNE, San Diego, Nov. 17, 1904 Two weeks prior to this issue, two bandits presumed to be from the Hole-In-The-Wall country of Wyoming attempted to rob the First National Bank of Cody, Wyoming. Hearing of the news, the famed frontiersman and showman "Buffalo Bill" Cody reportedly got in into the chase. He is not... Read full description -
Item #677163THE WORLD, San Diego, California, Feb. 12, 1873
* 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: "The Murderer of Rodriguez--Another Shooting Affray--More of the Tin Mine..." "Our Julian Letter" and so... Read full description -
Item #675926SEMI-WEEKLY STAR, Grand Junction, Mesa County, Colorado, Feb. 15, 1898
* Very rare title
* Mesa County
A nice & very rare newspaper from this town in Western Colorado along the Colorado River. Although Gregory (Union List of American Newspapers) records a "Grand Junction Star" there is no record of "the... Read full description -
Item #675692NEW YORK WEEKLY TRIBUNE, Feb. 3, 1866 The conclusion of the Civil War brought with it an interest in expending west, so it would not seem unusual that articles that read like a 19th century travelogue would appear in newspapers of the day.
This issue has one on page 5, which was part of a larger series: "FROM THE MISSOURI TO THE... Read full description -
Item #675691NEW YORK WEEKLY TRIBUNE, March 3, 1866 The conclusion of the Civil War brought with it an interest in expending west, so it would not seem unusual that articles that read like a 19th century travelogue would appear in newspapers of the day.
This issue has one on page 5, which was part of a larger series: "FROM THE MISSOURI TO THE... Read full description
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Williamsport, PA 17701
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Full Contact Information
