20 Photos of the American West Being Won

Daniel Bonfiglio Published 03/31/2025 in wow

Around 150 years ago, possibly right where you're sitting now, American settlers kicked Native Americans off the land they had lived on for generations. Such is the allure of natural resources and the pull of life-altering wealth.

But even though the Wild West's treasure trove of riches didn't exist like so many thought it did, Americans persisted by waging war against a population just trying to retain their homelands. And wouldn't you know it, we emerged victorious!

Here are 20 photos of the American Wild West being "won."

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1. A Lone Man
Montana, early 1900s.
2. A Battery Regiment of Canadian Artillery
The Battle of Fish Creek, part of the North-West Rebellion. 1885. Fisk Creek, Saskatchewan.
3. Four Navajo Riders
Cañon del Muerto, 1905.
4. George A. Custer's Black Hills Expedition
A camp in 1874.
5. Field of Stacked Hay
And a lone man, Montana, early 1900s.
6. George Ruffner
Sheriff of Yavapai County, in his office. 1890's.
7. Buggy in a Field
Montana, early 1900s.
8. "Our First Grizzly”
“Killed by General Custer" Sterographs of the Black Hills, 1874.
9. Horse Drawn Stretcher
Carrying a wounded man from the Battle of Slim Buttes, Dakota Territory. 1876.
10. Fresno Flats
Small town, California, 1900.
11. In Line At The Land Office
Oklahoma Territory, 1893.
12. General George A. Custer
And his native scouts, 1901.
13. "General Crook's Starvation March"
South Dakota, 1876, when soldiers were ordered to pursue Cheyenne and Sioux Indians after the Battle of the Little Bighorn. They resorted to killing horses and mules for food.
14. Two Native Girls
In Front of a Tipi, Montana, early 1900s.
15. A Well-Stocked Bar
H. Cook's Headquarters Saloon in Augusta, Montana, 1900.
16. George Custer
During the Black Hills Expedition in the Summer 1874.
17. Los Angeles
The Lugo House, 1882.

Los Angeles Public Library
18. Lakota Sioux
Marking the 10 year anniversary of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, 1886, Montana.
19. A Crow Scout That Served Under George A. Custer
Named "White Man Runs Him" Pictured in 1926 at the 50th anniversary of the battle.
20. Monterey, California, 1887.
New sewers getting put into Alvarado Street in 1887.

CITY OF MONTEREY

1. A Lone Man
Montana, early 1900s.
2. A Battery Regiment of Canadian Artillery
The Battle of Fish Creek, part of the North-West Rebellion. 1885. Fisk Creek, Saskatchewan.
3. Four Navajo Riders
Cañon del Muerto, 1905.
4. George A. Custer's Black Hills Expedition
A camp in 1874.
5. Field of Stacked Hay
And a lone man, Montana, early 1900s.
6. George Ruffner
Sheriff of Yavapai County, in his office. 1890's.
7. Buggy in a Field
Montana, early 1900s.
8. "Our First Grizzly”
“Killed by General Custer" Sterographs of the Black Hills, 1874.
9. Horse Drawn Stretcher
Carrying a wounded man from the Battle of Slim Buttes, Dakota Territory. 1876.
10. Fresno Flats
Small town, California, 1900.
11. In Line At The Land Office
Oklahoma Territory, 1893.
12. General George A. Custer
And his native scouts, 1901.
13. "General Crook's Starvation March"
South Dakota, 1876, when soldiers were ordered to pursue Cheyenne and Sioux Indians after the Battle of the Little Bighorn. They resorted to killing horses and mules for food.
14. Two Native Girls
In Front of a Tipi, Montana, early 1900s.
15. A Well-Stocked Bar
H. Cook's Headquarters Saloon in Augusta, Montana, 1900.
16. George Custer
During the Black Hills Expedition in the Summer 1874.
17. Los Angeles
Los Angeles Public Library

The Lugo House, 1882.
18. Lakota Sioux
Marking the 10 year anniversary of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, 1886, Montana.
19. A Crow Scout That Served Under George A. Custer
Named "White Man Runs Him" Pictured in 1926 at the 50th anniversary of the battle.
20. Monterey, California, 1887.
CITY OF MONTEREY

New sewers getting put into Alvarado Street in 1887.