Old Photographs

07/29/2026

This is what the legendary town of Tombstone looked like when Wyatt Earp walked the streets. Women dressed respectably and big holsters with guns weren’t common. Would you go back in time to visit if you could?

07/13/2026

On this day in 1882 old west icon Johnny Ringo fired a single shot into his head while seated on a tree at the foot of the Chiricahua Mountains. Billy Breakenridge remembered seeing him just days before….

On this day in 1882 Johnny Ringo fired a single shot into his head while seated on a tree at the foot of the Chiricahua Mountains. Just days before, Billy Breakenridge (pictured) was among the last people to see him alive. Years later Billy remembered the encounter:

"I met John Ringo in the South Pass of the Dragoon Mountains. It was shortly after noon. Ringo was very drunk, reeling in the saddle, and said he was going to Galeyville. It was in the summer and a very hot day. He offered me a drink out of a bottle half-full of whiskey, and he had another full bottle. I tasted it and it was too hot to drink. It burned my lips. Knowing that he would have to ride nearly all night before he could reach Galeyville, I tried to get him to go back with me and wait until after sun-down, but he was stubborn and went on his way. I think this was the last time he was seen alive."

A coroner's inquest was held and determined his death was a su***de. See the comments for a picture of the actual gun that was recovered from Ringo's hand.

06/07/2026

Omaha Beach, June 6th 1944. If a normal picture is worth a thousand words, how many more words must this one speak? Silent words of disbelief, heartache, weariness, and the unyielding conviction of what had to be done no matter the cost. Never forget.

05/22/2026

Although she was mostly known for being able to keep up with Fred Astaire while in high heels, the beautiful Ginger Roger's was also stunning in work boots and jeans! What is your favorite Ginger Rogers film?

05/16/2026

In a world of photos being taken over by AI, some details and memories it will never be able to touch.

Rural store building in the 1940's

04/26/2026

OTD in 1976, Rick Monday, a veteran of the U.S.
Marine Corps Reserve, grabbed an American flag from two protesters who had run onto the field at Dodger Stadium and attempted to burn it.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/19pScnMeQF/?mibextid=wwXIfr

04/19/2026

120 years ago San Francisco was leveled to ruins. Among the rubble were more than 3,000 souls who perished.

04/13/2026

April showers bring May flowers, but sometimes they can also bring flood waters. Such was the case as documented in this 1918 photograph from Richwood West Virginia.

03/19/2026

Wyatt Earp was born on this day in 1848…

Wyatt Earp was born 178 years ago today in Monmouth, Illinois.

In 1882 he spent his last birthday in Tombstone grieving the loss of his younger brother Morgan who was murdered hours earlier right in front of him. In the coming days he would es**rt Morgan's body and other family members out of Arizona, assemble a posse of trusted confidants, and kill the men he felt were responsible. He's known as a law man, but he put justice and avenging the death of a brother ahead of the law. Such events are part of the controversial legacy of the man whose name is still talked about today.

03/08/2026

"Texas-Indian War Trophies” (1880) is a rare direct look an an assortment of weaponry critical to the story of southern Plains Indian life. Photographer unknown.

"Texas-Indian War Trophies” (1880) is a rare direct look an an assortment of weaponry critical to the story of southern Plains Indian life. Photographer unknown - from my personal collections.