The document discusses the enduring frontier heritage of the American West. It summarizes that the West was historically seen as a land of promise that offered people an escape from civilization and a chance to start over. Developing a sense of place and identity in the West involved gaining self-validation, being critical of one's former home, and convincing others that one's choice was right. However, the frontier spirit is not permanent or unchanging, but influenced by social, political, economic, cultural and environmental changes. The frontier theme continues to be important in how people think about the West.

1. The Enduring Frontier Heritage
The Ghosts of the American West
Created By:
Angela Carter

2. Boosters of Earlier Era
Settlers would not be taken away from
civilization
Completion of the Pacific Railroad (1869)
Courtesy of Western History and Genealogy from the Denver Public Library [http://history.denverlibrary.org/images/index.html]

3. Today’s Developers
Promise an escape from the
modern world
Continue to draw people on the
premise of “promise.”

4. The West was a Land of Promise
Elevated Attachment to Place
Identity Formation in the West

5. Need for Self-Validation Gaining a Sense of Place
Old Mission Church (1873)
Courtesy of Western History and Genealogy from the Denver Public Library [http://history.denverlibrary.org/images/index.html]

6. •Must convince others that we made the right decision
•Highly critical of one’s former place
•Have experienced a “raw deal” and triumphed

7. C. E. Doyle and cowboys on the Doyle ranch near Englewood, Kansas (1897)
Courtesy of Kansas Memory [www.kansasmemory.org]

8. Is not Permanent and Unchanging
Sam Gabbert's ranch between Englewood and
Ashland, Kansas (1898)
Courtesy of Kansas Memory [www.kansasmemory.org]

9. Affected By Changes In:
•Social
•Political
•Cultural
•Economical
•Environmental

10. The frontier theme is still key
Wild West Show original company (1884)
Courtesy of Western History and Genealogy from the Denver Public
Library [http://history.denverlibrary.org/images/index.html]

11. Who Belongs?
Group: American Horse, Red
Cloud, Dakota Chiefs, seated,
with Johnny Baker (1880)
Courtesy of Western History
and Genealogy from the
Denver Public Library
[http://history.denverlibrary.
org/images/index.html]

12. Think Back to “The-Good-Old-Days”
Leadville (1890)
Courtesy of Western History and Genealogy from the
Denver Public Library
[http://history.denverlibrary.org/images/index.html]

13. Californians are “unwestern” and
bring baggage with them
William F. Cody driving Deadwood Stage (1895) Courtesy of Western History and Genealogy from the
Denver Public Library
[http://history.denverlibrary.org/images/index.html]

14. Leadville, Colorado southwestern section
of city from between 3rd and 4th streets
(1900)
Courtesy of Western History and Genealogy from the
Denver Public Library
[http://history.denverlibrary.org/images/index.html]

15. Continue to worry that new
immigration is closing the last
frontiers
Cattlemen's Celebration, Gunnison, Colo (1910)
Courtesy of Western History and Genealogy from the Denver Public Library [http://history.denverlibrary.org/images/index.html]

16. Our
actions
and
attitudes
in the
present
reflect
1868 Dakota delegation those of
Courtesy of Western History and Genealogy from the Denver Public Library
[http://history.denverlibrary.org/images/index.html] the past