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Legends of America Newsletter - July 2019 |
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| I realize some of y'all are suffering some oppressive heat. It got that way here in Missouri for a few days, with heat indexes around 110 F. The kind of heat you step out of the door and immediately need a shower. But as much as some of you may 'boo' me for this, I'm still happier than I was back in February.
Kathy's been pretty happy too, sifting through years of photos figuring out things she's missed or forgotten. Found several photos she took of places that simply aren't there anymore, which led to an ambitious endeavor to document "Lost Landmarks & Vanished Sites". She's in the early stages, but already has a few that I had completely spaced off, like Bedrock City in South Dakota. Check out more in our What's New section below. |
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| I told Kathy she needed to take a break. Of course, she heard "Let's go somewhere", so in about a week we're exploring more history close to home, this time in Eastern Missouri. We'll share some of that adventure in our next newsletter.
In the meantime, it's late July and poor Kaydee Dog still won't go outside between 7pm and 1am. I'm no longer hearing the fireworks, but apparently they did a number on her this year. This waking me up at 1 and 2 in the morning to go out is gonna have to stop soon though. Maybe our upcoming trip will help get her back on schedule.
I want to give a shout out to Arizona Ghostriders. If you haven't checked out their Youtube channel, please make sure you do. They have used Legends of America a few times, and we now feature several of their videos on various pages. Fun group of Old West enthusiasts that I know you'll enjoy.
Dave "It's not a dry heat" Alexander |
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From Legends' General Store - Forts of the Frontier West is an hour-and-forty-minute DVD journey across the American West of the nineteenth Century. The opening of the West is the most colorful and romanticized period in American history, and the forts of the western frontier were silent witnesses to this dramatic story.
Narrated by Michael Martin Murphey, Forts of the Frontier West takes you from the Northern Plains to the Southwest, from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean, along the Santa Fe Trail and the Oregon Trail. And the crumbling walls of these prairie strongholds are no longer silent. They tell their compelling stories through the historical research of Dr. Harry Frank, and images captured by Harry and Martha Frank on a thirteen-year photographic odyssey from North Dakota to Texas, from Arkansas to California.
Take 10% off when you use coupon code NEWS10. |
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What's New on LOA
Here are just some of the latest additions since our last newsletter |
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| George McJunkin - Black Cowboy & History Changing Amateur Archaeologist - We got a special treat when Matt Doherty, a Rancher with generational ties to Folsom New Mexico, submitted this article on George McJunkin. Doherty accepted McJunkins' inclusion into the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City this Spring and he has quite the story to tell of this talented bronc buster and ranch hand, who, as a side note, is credited with one of the greatest archeological finds in the U.S. |
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John Reynolds Hughes – John Reynolds Hughes was a cowboy, rancher, author, and one of the most influential and recognized Texas Rangers during his lifetime.
James D. Houck – Arizona Pioneer & Lawman – James D. Houck was a miner, trader, pioneer, lawman, and namesake of Houck, Arizona. |
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St Elmo, Colorado – Best Preserved Ghost Town – (Update and expansion of early article) – St. Elmo, is one of the best-preserved ghost towns in Colorado and the entire district was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
Buffalo Gap – Rowdy Cow Town – Buffalo Gap, South Dakota is a semi-ghost town in Custer County just outside the eastern edge of the Black Hills.
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New Category
Lost Historic Landmarks and Vanished Sites – We are starting an ambitious endeavor to chronicle some of the more interesting and important places that have been lost to deterioration and progress.
Old Aztec Court, Albuquerque, New Mexico – Up until 2011, when the building was razed, it was the oldest continuously used motel in Albuquerque making it one of the most important Route 66 icons.
Bedrock City – The once-popular Bedrock City Theme Park and Campground, in Custer, South Dakota, entertained and welcomed thousands of visitors for almost 50 years before it was reduced to rubble in April 2019.
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We've added over 20 new articles since our last newsletter. |
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Check out our many images from South Dakota in our Photo Print Gallery. Take 10% off all print sizes when you use coupon code NEWS10. (Photo from South Dakota's original 1880 Town) |
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Smokey Bear Campaign Celebrates 75th Anniversary
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Though the Smokey Bear campaign began August 9, 1944, the bear itself was nothing more than an image born of artists’ imaginations when he first appeared on postcards, posters, and advertisements, cautioning “Only you can prevent forest fires.”
However, in 1950 a real baby bear became the live “Smokey” when he was rescued from certain death by firefighters in a devastating blaze in New Mexico’s Lincoln National Forest.
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| From Legends' General Store - This is the ultimate guide for finding and exploring the Route driving from the WEST or the EAST. Its maps and directions are comprehensive yet easy to follow. The spiral-bound guide stays open to the pages you are reading while you are driving or riding. Also includes attractions, tips, other sources, and games. Convenient 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", 216 page, paperback format.
On Sale for a Limited Time ...Plus, newsletter readers can take an additional 10% off when you use coupon code NEWS10. |
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Patent Medicine & the Popular Medicine Show
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| In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, “patent medicine” became very popular for a variety of aches, ailments, and diseases. Often sold by traveling salespeople in what became known as “medicine shows,” these many decoctions were often sold with colorful names and even more colorful claims. Despite the name, “patent medicine,” these elixirs and tonics were rarely patented, with the exception of a few including Castoria, and instead were often trademarked. In fact, chemical patents did not come into use in the United States until 1925.
Also called “proprietary medicines,” these elixirs and tonics originated in England and were manufactured under grants, or “patents of royal favor,” to those who provided medicine to the Royal Family, hence, the name. In the 18th century, these medicines began to be exported to America and were sold by a variety of merchants, including grocers, goldsmiths, drugstores, and even postmasters.
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Fort Laramie, Wyoming - Crossroads to the West
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| Fort Laramie was located at the Crossroads of a Nation Moving West. In 1834, where the Cheyenne and Arapaho traveled, traded and hunted, a fur trading post was created. Though it was not a military fort at first, it was called Fort William and soon became known as a place of safety, as settlers moved across the continent. |
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A great summer getaway, see our many images from Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula, available in print sizes small to large, and 10% off when you use coupon code NEWS10. (Photo from Fort Wilkins, Michigan) |
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Popular on Facebook
In case you missed them..here are some articles that have received the most interaction on our Facebook fan pages over the past month.
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| Centralia, Pennsylvania – A Lost Town - A simple act of cleaning up a landfill before Memorial Day festivities in 1962 led to this 1800's town eventually being abandoned. |
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Cheyenne – Warriors of the Great Plains - They call themselves “Tsitsistas" and primarily lived and hunted on hills and prairies alongside the Missouri and Red Rivers.
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| Billy the Kid – The Fatal Shot in the Dark - July 14, 1881, Pat Garrett kills Billy the Kid. Read Garrett's account in "The Fatal Shot in the Dark" |
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Thank you for your support!
We can't say enough how much your support keeps us motivated in sharing our love of American History and travel destinations. Our primary funding is through our General Store and Photo Print Shop, but your donations through our Tip Jar have also played a large role during our website remodel, and continue to help with our server and technical costs. Thank you, thank you, thank you. |
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| What Our Readers are saying:
I live in the Black Hills of South Dakota. We have so much history in this area. I enjoy your pictures and articles. Have fun when you are here! - Angela (Ref: South Dakota Ghost Towns & Mining Camps)
My husband and I visited the Empire Mine back in 2003, and it was truly an outstanding experience. The buildings and grounds are kept well, the docents seem to know their stuff well, and it was an enjoyable experience. Thanks for this reminder of a wonderful vacation. - Nancy (Ref: Empire Mine, Grass Valley, California)
This is such a crazy story. I just stumbled across it as I was digging into my genealogy. My 3rd great grandfather and grandmother were Lorenzo Dow Dunlap and Nancy Jane Wharton Dunlap. My great-great grandmother was Prudence Dunlap, one of the children who was spared. I never knew this story. Mind blown… - Coby (Ref: Mountain Meadows Massacre)
Interesting and informative, as usual..This is a wonderful site to learn of History and Legends..I love it. Thank you for sharing. - Dorothy (Ref: Billy the Kid - The Fatal Shot in the Dark, by Pat Garrett)
Thank you for this great article. Nebraska is my home state and very little is ever mentioned about it. - Dennis (Ref: Rock Creek Station & the McCanles Massacre) [Agreed Dennis, we need to work on that]
I'm happy with the complete process of selecting what I wanted, placing the order, receiving the order, and the final product once it arrived. Thank you, Mike - Legends' Photo Print Shop Customer
or comment on any of our articles. |
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