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C.D. Kirkland, J.E. Stimson, Charles Belden, like many before them, created
images of a mythic West that were popular with collectors and promoters.
Set against a backdrop of spectacular scenery, their photographs intentionally
emphasized the romantic aspects of ranching and western life. Nevertheless,
their work provides a valuable historic record of ranching and the changes
in the landscape and life in Wyoming.
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Cowboy and Horse in Water, Pitchfork Ranch, ca.
1920s by Charles Belden.
Charles J. Belden Papers, American Heritage Center
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Charles Belden (1887-1966) came to Wyoming to work on the historic Pitchfork
Ranch near Meeteetse, Wyoming, after his graduation from the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology in 1910. Belden loved the scenery and images of
ranching, and the 250,000-acre Pitchfork provided many photographic opportunities.
Belden became something of a "celebrity cowboy" as his photographs
and stories promoting the Pitchfork and its dude ranch were syndicated
nationally. Although some of his photographs have an air of contrivance,
Belden was a master of detail, and his photographs show the changes taking
place in ranching.
Photographs
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