Episodes

  • Railroad Settlers

    Railroad Settlers
    May 7 2024
    The railroads needed settlers to fill the land. They spent a lot of money promoting the land, even sending people to Europe to entice them to come to America. Towns needed a railroad spur to ensure they town would grow, some did, others just disappeared. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    23 mins
  • The Mussel Slough Massacre

    The Mussel Slough Massacre
    Apr 30 2024
    The Southern Pacific encouraged settlers to farm and improve on their land grants with the understanding they would be able to buy it for from $2.50 to $5 per acre. When the railroad raised that price to $25 and $35 an acre, the farmers revolted. They were being evicted from the land they had worked for years. In the end the railroad won. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    23 mins
  • Western Movies - Part 4

    Western Movies - Part 4
    Apr 23 2024
    From silent movies to the modern, John Wayne stands out as the most famous star. He started as a prop boy and extra, but with the help of John Ford he made the step from B movies to the big screen. John Wayne and hundreds of other Hollywood cowboys made history and brought the old west alive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    23 mins
  • Railroad Passengers

    Railroad Passengers
    Apr 16 2024
    In its first year, 150,000 passengers rode the Transcontinental Railroad from Omaha to Sacramento, that number rose to a million. Some traveled for a vacation, others to a destination. Comfort varied between first class with beds and exotic food to the emigrants who brought their own food and sat the whole journey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    17 mins
  • Western Movies - Part 3

    Western Movies - Part 3
    Apr 9 2024
    Gary Cooper was a top male box-office attraction and could star in westerns or modern movies. Fans expected death -defying deeds as well as a hero with high moral standards. John Ford created the “epic” western high budget movies like “Stagecoach” which rescued an actor named John Wayne Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    24 mins
  • Western Movies - Part 2

    Western Movies - Part 2
    Apr 2 2024
    Early movies needed a hero, Gilbert Anderson became Broncho Billy and made a sequel a week, making $50,000 per show. Bill Hart became a clean-cut hero creating the look of the Old West. Next, Tom Mix was a good athlete and did his own stunts while dressed in all white hat and clothes. By 1925 he was making $17,500 a week and was a star to millions until he died in a car wreck. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    24 mins
  • Western Movies - Part 1

    Western Movies - Part 1
    Mar 26 2024
    The film industry began in the early 1900’s. Cowboys found less work on ranches, but could make more money being extras and stunt doubles in early Western movies. It could be dangerous work, but some went on to become movies stars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    23 mins
  • Cowboy Stories - Part Two

    Cowboy Stories - Part Two
    Mar 19 2024
    Mules, Frozen Hands, "Big" Ed, A Magic Cow, A Horse called "Firecracker" another called "The Black Demon" and a true champion bronc rider. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    29 mins