Stories

John Wayne, Burt Reynolds, and Clint Walker are among the many notable Western stars who also played high-level football before turning to acting.

By Reagan Johnson Cowboys have long been a symbol of the American frontier, but the stories of Black cowboys—who made up a significant portion of cattle drivers and ranch hands in the Old West—are often left…

By John McGran Norma Jeane Mortenson was born June 1, 1926 in Los Angeles A studio executive is credited with suggesting she take the name Marilyn Monroe The 23 films in which she appeared grossed…

By Reagan Johnson Bass Reeves is one of the most remarkable figures of the American West, blazing a trail of justice and breaking barriers that changed the fate of the frontier. Born into slavery in…

By John McGran John Wayne was 41 and on the cusp of big-screen greatness when he saddled up as U.S. cavalry officer Captain Nathan Brittles for the 1949 John Ford Western classic She Wore a Yellow…

By Morgan Newman It’s high noon in Dodge City and an unmasked villain stands firmly in the middle of the town square, ready to draw with U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon. It’s a Western showdown. While…

Discover the history of lawmen who kept the peace in the Wild West, exploring their roles, challenges, and legendary figures in American history.

Set in Stone: Jesse Stone Movies Ranked By Darlene Cah From private investigator, Thomas Magnum, to Jesse Stone, to Police Commissioner Frank Reagan in Blue Bloods, fans love Tom Selleck on the streets and on the…

Explore how settlers celebrated Christmas on the Western frontier, featuring resourceful holiday menus with preserved foods, fresh game, and inventive desserts.

Discover John Wayne's inspiring New Year's resolutions and how they reflect his legendary character and values. Get motivated for your own goals!

To this day, Gunsmoke fans still clamor for their favorite saloon owner and madame. A question that seems to come up often is regarding Miss Kitty’s cause of death in Gunsmoke.

By Amber Holzman Ensure good fortune for all in the New Year with this shareable party appetizer. Warm-out-of-the-oven, this dip incorporates three famously fortuitous ingredients- greens, pork, and black-eyed peas. Ready in under 30 minutes,…

Rock Hudson was the embodiment of a classic American star in the 1950s and 1960s. His charm, good looks and effortless grace on screen captured the hearts of millions. But he led a life of…

Discover how INSP ranks all five Gunsmoke TV movies starring James Arness as Marshal Matt Dillon. From epic showdowns to heartfelt farewells, see which film tops the list.

Improvisation was key for frontier communities, who forged their own celebratory traditions with what the landscape offered them. Here’s a look at Old West gift-giving.

Iconic cowboy actor John Wayne is fondly remembered for speaking some of the all-time favorite movie lines and for calling folks “Pilgrims.” But how often did he actually say the word?

Festus Haggen may have arrived in Dodge City as a replacement character for the departing Chester Goode, but he left fans with plenty of fond memories as Marshall Dillon’s deputy sheriff.

By John McGran Key Takeaways The question remains more than 60 years later Goode limped into retirement with a throwaway line There would never be an official explanation Americans love conspiracy theories and plot twists.…

By John McGran   The California Gold Rush of 1849 reshaped a nation, sparked amazing innovation and triggered frenzy like none seen before or since. Fueled by gold fever, thousands upon thousands of Americans—and waves…

A look back at rustic, homemade holiday traditions in the Wild West.

Gunsmoke is the longest-running Western series in television history, running for 20 seasons. Of its 635 episodes, only nine people were considered main characters.

By Henry C. Parke In Westerns, big-screen or small, auctions can only mean one thing: some poor sodbuster—or else Claudia Cardinale—is being forced by the land baron, banker, or whoever Lee Marvin is working for,…

By John McGran Key Takeaways Gunsmoke leans heavily on its unforgettable and relatable characters The Big Valley remains a big hit 55 years and 112 episodes after its last airing Laramie is a roller-coaster ride of adventure from…

John Wayne and Clint Eastwood held differing opinions of the values, traditions and heroes of the Old West. A major rift arose when Eastwood expressed his opinions on the big screen.

By Henry C. Parke On Nov. 15, Julien’s Auctions will conduct the Gunsmoke & Western Legends Auction, in which 568 lots, over 230 of them from the estate of Gunsmoke star James Arness, will each…

By John McGran Key Takeaways A trusty steed was a cowboy’s most important accessory A breakdown of Bonanza’s four-legged co-stars When Bonanza was cancelled, Lorne Greene bought Buck A horse is a horse, of course,…

Rivalries that pit one brother against another—or one suitor against another—attract unrivaled attention from fans of the Old West. Whose side are you on?