Addressing everything from the details of everyday life to recreation and warfare, this two-volume work examines the social, political, intellectual, and material culture of the American Old West, from the California Gold Rush of 1849 to the end of the 19th century.

What was life really like for ordinary people in the Old West? What did they eat, wear, and think? How did they raise their children? How did they interact with government? What did they do for fun? This encyclopedia provides readers with an engaging and detailed portrayal of the Old West through the examination of social, cultural, and material history.

Supported by the most current research, the multivolume set explores various aspects of social history-family, politics, religion, economics, and recreation-to illuminate aspects of a society’s emotional life, interactions, opinions, views, beliefs, intimate relationships, and connections between the individual and the greater world. Readers will be exposed to both objective reality and subjective views of a particular culture; as a result, they can create a cohesive, accurate impression of life in the Old West during the second half of the 1800s.

Offers insights based on social history and the daily experience of the average person to engage students’ interest and curiosity rather than focusing on the events, dates, and names of traditional history

Presents information within a thematic organization that encourages a more in-depth study of specific aspects of daily life in the Old West

Includes related primary documents that enable students to view history more directly and reach their own conclusions about past events

Examines a wide range of topics such as work, family life, clothing and fashion, food and drink, housing and community, politics, social customs, spirituality, and technology

Provides a general introduction per volume, individual topic introductions, numerous images and illustrations, a timeline of events, and a bibliography identifying print and nonprint resources