Wild West Gazette places the Old West into three (3) eras in a timeline of Ancient, Ancestral, Anglo Migrant West.
The links provide some separation between the eras defined and allow each visitor to concentrate on the timeline
of their interests.
Ancient - prior to the 18th century - The history of the area we know as Arizona starts long before the revolution; possibly before the birth of Christ. Little is known of this era. This is the time of lush vegetation on what is now the Sonoran desert floor. During the 18th century the Ancient Peoples,, mostly farmers,  were required to adapt during the Great Drought of the Southwest. The result is many tribes became wanders and gathers in most regions of what is now Arizona.

Ancestral 18th century to the mid 19th century - The Southwest United States and the region of Sonora Mexico was not always desert. From the beginning of recorded time this region gradually evolved from lush near tropical vegetation to the drought tolerant Saguaro and Barrel Cactus. This includes Sagebrush, Palo Verde  and Tumbleweed along with many other desert flora that are so abundant today in the Sonoran Desert. Above the highpoint of the desert the Saguaro give way to scrub trees, much like those found on the western prairie of Nebraska and Kansas.  Above this scrub line is the beginning of the stately pine forests including the beautiful, and one of the largest stand of Ponderosa Pine remaining in the United States near flagstaff Arizona.

The Navaho live in the for corners region consisting of the convergence of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. They are the major people of this region of Arizona from about 20 miles east of Flagstaff to well into New Mexico. The span Hualapai, Havasupai, and Yavapai tribes inhabit the remainder of northern Arizona all the way to the Colorado River where it turns south, west of what is now is Lake Mead, and the Hoover Dam. One famous Apache was Alchesay; Indian Scout for General George Crook during the Indian Wars in Arizona Territory.
Saguaro  Cactus

 Barrel Cactus


 Sonoran Desert
Sagebrush



Tumbleweed

Anglo Migrant West  1845-1912 - is the term we are using to identify the period following the Civil War around 1848 to the admission of Arizona to the union of the United States February 14 1912. The 'Old West' started long before the immigrant trails brought people from the eastern States into the wilderness of the west. One trail is the Southern Trail to California. Most of this trail is from Santa Fe New Mexico to Warner Ranch in Southern California. This trail may have been used by the likes of Wyatt Earp; Doc Holliday; and many other famous people of the 1860's.