The True History of the Wyoming Mountain Men
By: Sarah Reish
We learned so much about Mountain Men while visiting the Museum of the Mountain Men in Pinedale, Wyoming. First and foremost, is that the museum was founded by the oldest historical society in Wyoming. Second, the mountain men made money through fur trading and this was a short lived period of only ten years ranging from 1823-1833. This entire era of the Mountain Man was founded on beaver felt hats, a gentleman’s fashion accessory. The era died when the silk top hat came into style.
Mountain Men Myths
I would have to say, the myths I personally fell for were that these men were reclusive, unemployed, shunned from society, and had poor hygiene. None of the afore mentioned is actually accurate. Much of the visual stigmas we have in our heads are based on fiction from later paintings (from painters who were not there) and even later Hollywood interpretations that were used to add character to the men who were part of a well organized business that provided products to make or manufacture gentleman's hats that were in style during the 1820’s. The men literally worked in the fashion industry!
Mountain Man Truths
The Mountain Men were quite social. They played a key part in maintaining cultural relations with the Native American Tribes and often married into the Native families. Both parties supported this as it meant connections to both influential Native families and tribes as well as going the other way, ensuring trade deals with the supplies brought in for commerce and key relationships for upcoming treaties. Second, many of the men were highly educated and managed the fur trading business and documented many of the historic events that took place in the early settling of the Rocky Mountain region. The Mountain Man was not shunned from society and hiding away in a cabin, he actually was an entrepreneur and adventurer. Mapping regions, and building a financially successful business. Hygiene was important for health and most mountain men shaved because facial hair was not at all in style during the 1820’s, remember these guys worked in the fashion industry. This is where the stigma of a furry, hairy and smelly Mountain Man comes into our minds based off of paintings and Hollywood movies.
The Beaver
To make the most money in the most efficient way possible these so called Mountain Men had to leave the highly populated areas. Upon arriving in the Rocky Mountain’s the men found an abundance of beaver to trap; however, it was for only a short season during the fall when they could trap. The men would go into the mountains and trap until the cold set in. They would then go to their settlements for the winter.
Winter Socializing With The Mountain Men
During the winter the Mountain Men would gather around to read, some who didn’t grow up in school would learn to read and write, they traded stories and adventures, tanned and processed hides, and it was actually a really social time. They would also repair their gear and any items that needed tending during this cold wintery season. Processing and preparing the hides was a major project in preparation for what was to come.
Mountain Men and the Rocky Mountain Rendezvous
Each spring or summer, from 1825 -1840, in various, but pre determined, locations there would be a fur trading and resupply rendezvous. The traders would take a boat full of supplies and meet the mountain men and tribes to trade for goods. Thousands would attend at its peak. The rendezvous was founded by William Henry Ashley. Those bringing in goods to trade would not sell or trade products until everyone had arrived. It is best described as a festival and gathering to reconnect with others in the industry. James Beckwourth described the event, “Mirth, songs, dancing, shouting, trading, running, jumping, singing, racing, target-shooting, yarns, frolic, with all sorts of extravagances that white men or Indians could invent.” A majority of the rendezvous’ took place in Wyoming with only a small handful taking place in Idaho and Utah.
An Era Gone
As quickly as it came the beaver trade ended when the silk top hat became a more trendy hat for gentlemen. The rendezvous continued until westward expansion and wagon trains began settling small towns with mercantiles and other stores. The legend of the mountain man, his exploration of the west, and building the initial cultural relations with various tribes should not be forgotten - as he, the Mountain Man, played a major role in the development and settling of our amazing state, Wyoming.
Hit The Road!
Everyone needs to visit this museum. Special thanks to the Museum of the Mountain Man for such an amazing experience. Keep an eye out for their living history reenactments to learn more about the Mountain Man and the history in our area. September 5th is their next event! Share your experience on social media and tag us @LiveWYldMag and use #LiveWYld