Old West mythology

Old West mythology refers to the romanticized stories and legends that grew around 19th-century American frontier life. These tales often highlight rugged individualism, heroism, and lawlessness, shaping a heroic ideal of cattle drives, gunfights, and outlaws like Jesse James or Wyatt Earp. While based on some historical events, many stories are exaggerated or fictionalized, creating a mythical image of the West as a place of adventure, justice, and rugged morality. This mythology has been reinforced through movies, literature, and popular culture, influencing perceptions of American history and identity.