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Cowboy Culture

Visitors to Grant County will find themselves surrounded by cow country as much of the land is still used, at least part of the time, for grazing cattle. The cattle industry got its start here in the 1880s as the gold and silver mines began to play out and pioneer families turned to more renewable resources such as grass. Ranching became a fresh start for homesteaders and businessmen alike, with a few of those early ranches becoming extremely large and prosperous. The pioneering ranchers brought in new breeds of cattle, built dams to collect runoff, drilled wells to provide water for their stock, and, yes, had to fight for the land. Ranch cowboys often accompanied U.S. troops on their excursions across southern New Mexico. The hard work paid off, and ranching continues to be a part of Grant County’s economy and culture. In fact, some of those pioneer ranches are still owned and worked by the same families.

This cowboy culture can be enjoyed by taking in the Silver City Wild West Rodeo in May/June, the county fair in September, by horseback on a guest ranch or with an outfitter. The Silver City Wild West Pro Rodeo attracts more than 300 cowboys and thousands of spectators who come for the high-flying bulls, the bucking broncos, and all the action of this PRCA sanctioned event. The Chamber of Commerce website can direct you to guest ranches and outfitters that specialize in cowboy experiences and wilderness trips. On a horse you can reach deep into the rugged and scenic Gila National Forest and back a hundred years in time.

If you enjoy cowboy music, be sure to include a night at the Copper Creek Ranch where they serve up a chuck wagon dinner and some mighty fine classic cowboy music. The chamber website can also help you find a cowboy entertainer who will come to your cabin or campsite and put on a show just for you—- just type “cowboy” in the search box. And while you are in Silver City, keep an eye out for the actors who put on occasional “hysterical” gunfights on Yankie Street. The action is hilarious, and the guns, of course, shoot blanks.

Cowboy culture is alive and well in Grant County. The work is still hard and a little dangerous and mostly done far from the road. You may not see a cowboy except when they come to town. Most will change into clean jeans, a nice shirt and “go to town” boots so you may not be able to tell a real cowboy from a tourist. If he’s extra polite, wears a long-sleeved shirt all year, and takes his hat off indoors, you’re probably seeing the real thing.