Welcome to the Old West!

You can now subscribe to listen to our radio shows online! Click here for more information.

An electronic edition of Chronicle of the Old West 1800's newspaper is now available.  Click here for more information.

From Our Outfit...
May Notes

John Shearer is a subscriber and friend from England who gives us regular phone calls from the motherland to see how things are going in the colonies. He’s an avid cowboy and Old West fan.

It always intrigues me that for the average person in England, “cowboy” is a pejorative word. It’s a bit like our calling something “Mickey Mouse.”

With our Old West and our cowboys something unique to the United States, it becomes an offhanded way to slam our American heritage. That doesn’t bother me, because most of what they know about the Old West they learned from the movies. And, as we know, often the “reel” Old West has little or nothing to do with the “real” Old West.

The 1800’s cowboy was a man of purpose who endured floods, blizzards, heat and drought to finish what he started. He took what life had to offer, and did his best because of it or in spite of it.

He was black, Spanish, immigrant, white and Indian. He was judged by his ability to pull his weight, not his looks.

The cowboy a gunslinger? Hardly. If he even owned a pistol, he usually carried it in his bedroll, and when he did use it, it was to dispatch snakes and varmints (sometimes human) threatening his charges.

He lived by the Code of the West. The code wasn’t written down. It was understood and respected by everyone. It included:

• Don’t pass anyone on the trail without saying “Hi.”

• Never turn anyone away from your campfire.

• Your handshake is a contract.

• Only quitters complain.

• You finish what you start.

• You’re loyal to the brand for which you ride.

Even today we use the term “cowboy up,” which means that in spite of adversity, you continue on with your objective.

A man who lives by these precepts is a man I would sure be happy to partner up with. And, I think anyone would.

I would be proud to be called a cowboy.

(By the way, we've modernized the cowboy code. If you'd like to take a look at it CLICK HERE.)

May God always be at your side.

P.S. Don't forget to send me a picture of you reading Chronicle of the Old West! You can send your photograph by regular mail or as an attachment via Email. With the picture, we need your name and address, along with information on the location where it’s taken.

Hi! I'm Dakota Livesay the publisher of the Chronicle of the Old West the newspaper, narrator of Chronicle of the Old West the daily radio show, and host of the hour-long weekly show, Chronicle of the Old West Weekly Edition.

Below are the various elements of the Chronicle of the Old West organization. Our objective is to educate people about the Old West in an entertaining way. Our hope is that as you surf through our web site you'll be inspired to learn more about a time that was very important to the development of America...a time of great contradictions.

It was an age when men had high standards in dealing with each other. Yet, it was also a time when some of the harshest crudities to our fellow man took place. We look at the Old West, as it really was, warts and all. Below is a brief rundown of the Chronicle of the Old West organization.

Click on the various headings to learn more about us.

Chronicle of the Old West the newspaper...

When we started Chronicle of the Old West over five years ago, we had no idea how unique the publication was, and how well it would be received by Old West enthusiasts, as well as people who are interested in America's history.

Chronicle of the Old West contains reprints of 1800's articles and current articles about Old West events written as if they just happened. We also have a section that tells readers about places to go and activities to attend to enjoy the Old West today.

We call Chronicle of the Old West "a transporter" in that when you read it you'll be transported back to the 1800's. Each month contains articles about events that took place during that month.

If you would like to view the first page and see the highlights for this month's Chronicle of the Old West Newspaper, CLICK HERE.

If you're interested in the writer's guidelines for the Chronicle of the Old West Newspaper, CLICK HERE.

Chronicle of the Old West the radio show...

Chronicle of the Old West is also two syndicated radio shows about our American West.

Five days a week, Dakota tells a story about a person or event from the Old West. As with the newspaper, the stories are aired in the month in which they took place.

To find out if the Daily Show is aired near you, click HERE.

You can see what is playing this month or listen to a selected story from the current month by clicking HERE. This month's featured story is "Sodbusters."

We also have a weekly hour-long show called Chronicle of the Old West the Weekly Edition. This show also hosted by Dakota Livesay, contains interviews with Old West experts about people and events from the 1800s, great cowboy music, and information about the Old West that will entertain and educate the listener about our Western history.

You can view information on our CURRENT WEEKLY hour-long show by clicking HERE. Some of the highlights from May 5-11: "The Old West’s most intriguing outlaws, Black Bart" "Stuntman Buck Montgomery"

To check out what will be featured NEXT WEEK, click HERE.

You can also view information about our PAST WEEKLY radio shows by clicking HERE.

If you would like to browse through a list of weekly featured AUDIO TRACKS click HERE.

To find out if the Weekly Edition is aired near you, click HERE.

If you know of a radio station in your area that may be interested in reaching people like you with information about the history of our American West, go to our contact page and e-mail us with information about the station.

Chronicle of the Old West contests and fun...

This section is for those of you who enjoy contests. Each month Chronicle of the Old West, the newspaper, has a "Bronco Sue's Old West Trivia Shootout" and "LouisLAmour.com" trivia contest with some great prizes. You can enter them through our web site, even if you aren't a subscriber.

Chronicle of the Old West merchandise...

Because of radio time constraints, Dakota is not always able to tell the full story, so we decided to take a theme and record a series of stories around that theme, without any time constraints. Our first one "Gunfights of the Old West" is currently available.

Our long-anticipated and newest CD is finally off the presses and is now available for purchase. Dakota has always been intrigued with the roll women played in taming the west. That’s right, it was women who tamed the west. Although tradition says Samuel Colt’s 45 tamed the west. It wasn’t a pistol - it was a petticoat. Our second CD "Women of the Old West" is now available.

Also, because it may be a while before everyone can hear the DAILY and WEEKLY radio shows on their radio, we’ve made it possible for everyone to be able to hear the shows on their CD player. By clicking HERE you can get information about the Weekly shows that we have for sale. By clicking HERE you can get information about our Daily Shows (a month's worth at a time.) We’ve tried to make the shows as affordable as possible.

We've introduced a brand new "Old West" product...Cowboy's Best Roasted Coffees. We know you will enjoy Cowboy’s Best coffee, because there is a little of the Old West in every cup!

Chronicle of the Old West "On the Road...Stampede Tour"

Here's our most fun page... You will find pictures of our travels as we attend events and do research for the newspaper and radio show. If you've seen us "On the Road", your picture might just be there!

Our most current entries:

"Yesterday was our 30th wedding anniversary…And they said it wouldn’t last...."

"Sunday we traveled from Williams, AZ to Prescott, AZ…about a three hour trip...."

"We’re back from our Red Rock Ride, and what a trip it was...."

"We’re staying at a real nice RV park in Williams, AZ. Out our front window are some chainsaw carvings on the top of pine tree trunks...."

"We’re presently in Williams, AZ visiting our friends at Wild West Junction...."

Above (left) Dakota is standing in front of a simulated Chronicle of the Old West office at Old West Main Street in Williams, Arizona.

Chronicle of the Old West "Calendar of Events"

We have added a calendar of events for you to consider attending. Some of these we will be attending and some we wish could attend. Check out our calendars and if you know of an event that people who enjoy the Old West would like to attend, email us with the information.

Incidentally, we have two versions of our calendar. One is a Chronicle of the Old West Google calendar and one is our regular Chronicle of the Old West calendar. Click on the links and they will take you to additional information. The Google calendar will give you a map and a description of the event and our calendar links will take you to the event website!

Chronicle of the Old West "Sidekicks..."

In the early western movies, were it not for the sidekick, chances are, the good guy would not have come out victorious in the end. Why should we be any different? So, to paraphrase a branch of the military, “we’re looking for a few good sidekicks.”

We’re assembling an elite outfit of volunteer men and women who are enthralled with the Old West and want to help us spread the word about the history of our American West. Obviously, this is a brand new program. And, we’re not quite sure what all it entails. Part of the excitement is that our sidekicks can help us determine that. We're up to Sidekick #011!

Chronicle of the Old West "The Chuckwagon..."

In our search for articles in libraries across the country, we come across recipes and tips that were printed in the 1800's. Amusing, entertaining, and occasionally delicious we thought we would pass them on to you.

We hope you enjoy our newest page - The Chuckwagon.

Our newest recipe: "Sourdough Biscuits"

Chronicle of the Old West presents "Living the Code"...

At the beginning of each month, Dakota will have a new story to help inspire each of us to
"Live the Code."

Click HERE to read the current month's story. "Drug Problem"

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