Entertainment in the Old West : Theater, Music, Circuses, Medicine Shows, Prizefighting and Other Popular Amusements

Miners, loggers, railroad men, and others flooded into the American West after the discovery of gold in 1848, and entertainers seeking to fill the demand for distraction from the workers' daily toil soon followed. Actors, actresses and traveling troupes crisscrossed the American frontier, performing in tents, saloons, fancy theaters, and the open air. This exploration of the heyday of popular theater in the Old West chronicles its emergence and growth from 1850 to the early twentieth century. Here is the story of the men and women who provided myriad types of entertainment in the Old West, and brought excitement, laughter and tears to generations of pioneers. This Exploration Of The Heyday Of Popular Theater And Other Entertainments Of The Old West Chronicles Its Emergence And Growth From 1850 To The Early Twentieth Century. Here Is The Story Of The Men And Women Who Provided Myriad Types Of Entertainment In The Old West, And Brought Excitement, Laughter And Tears To Generations Of Pioneers--provided By Publisher. On With The Show -- Entertainment For Everyone -- Women As Actresses -- Strutting Their Stuff -- Bright Lights Of The Pacific Coast -- Theaters Across The Old West -- A Few Of The Famous -- The Amateurs -- Medicine Shows -- Motley Pleasures -- The Wild West Shows -- Afterword : The Stage Lights Dim. Jeremy Agnew. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Exploring the heyday of popular theater in the Old West, this book chronicles its emergence and growth from 1850 to the early twentieth century, and tells the story of the men and women who provided entertainment and brought excitement and laughter generations of pioneers.