Kai Rivers
Cowboys in the Old West did not rent beds because they slept outdoors on bedrolls. The bedroll consisted of a wool blanket, a rubber groundcloth, and a bag for clothing and personal items. Cowboys would unroll their bedrolls under the stars with their horses nearby. If they were working from a line camp or headquarters, they would spread their bedrolls on the floor or in a bunk. If they went into town, they might sleep in a boarding house or hotel room, or in a stable loft or by the river.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cowboy sleeping arrangements | Bedroll under the stars, with their horse close by |
| Cowboy bedroll materials | Canvas, wool blanket, rubber blanket |
| Additional items in the bedroll | Clothing, books, tobacco, personal papers, small collectibles |
| Bedroll advantages | Simple, functional, easy to create and carry, waterproof |
| Bedroll disadvantages | Not very comfortable |
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What You'll Learn
Cowboys slept on bedrolls under the stars
Cowboys, during the height of the American West, often slept on bedrolls under the stars. This was especially true when they were out on the trail, where they would unroll their bedding on the plains. Cowboys would also sleep in bunkhouses, which offered some protection from the elements. However, the iconic image of the cowboy sleeping under the night sky persists.
The cowboy bedroll was a simple and functional design, consisting of a waterproofed canvas sheet on the outside and a blanket on the inside. The canvas provided shelter from the elements, while the blanket, traditionally made of wool, offered insulation. Wool was used because it retained its insulating properties even when wet. Cowboys would also use a rubber blanket as a ground cloth to sleep on, which, when combined with a wool blanket, duplicated the cowboy bedroll.
The bedroll was easy to create and only required materials that most frontiersmen had easy access to. The bedroll was also versatile, serving multiple purposes throughout the day. For example, cowboys would sit on their bedrolls while eating and could use them as trunks when staying in town. They were also easy to pack and transport, especially after the invention of the chuckwagon, which provided more room to store them.
The cowboy bedroll was a staple of cowboy life, and its simplicity and effectiveness made it an enduring symbol of the American West. Today, people who enjoy traditional ways of living or outdoor sleeping still use the cowboy bedroll as part of their camping gear.
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They also slept in bunkhouses
In the Old West, cowboys slept in bunkhouses, which were barracks-like buildings used to house working cowboys on ranches. As most cowboys were young single men, the standard bunkhouse consisted of a large open room with narrow beds or cots for each individual and little privacy. Bunkhouses were often poorly insulated, with thin bat-and-board siding barely covering the walls, allowing the wind to whistle through the cracks or knot holes. However, they always had a cozy wood stove nearby for heating and cooking. Personal needs were typically attended to in a separate cookhouse and outhouse.
While on cattle drives or out with the herd, cowboys slept on the trail in bedrolls, which were easily transportable mattresses made of feathers, canvas, or waterproof tarpaulin. These bedrolls were likely infested with lice and bedbugs. Cowboys often slept outdoors under the stars, with their horses nearby. This romanticized image of the cowboy sleeping under the stars with a small fire and a hat pulled over their eyes is a common trope in Western movies. However, in reality, most places in the Western US get quite cold at night, making it unlikely that this was a comfortable or practical way to sleep.
When cowboys came to a town or finished a cattle drive, they would seek out a bathhouse, purchase new clothes, and relax at the local saloon. On ranches, cowboys slept in bunkhouses or other outbuildings. Some ranches had elaborate mansions, but these were not typically inhabited by the cowboys themselves. Instead, the cowboys' living quarters were more spartan, with minimal privacy and basic amenities.
The average boarding house in the Old West had multiple bedrooms, a common washroom, a dining room, and a parlor for the boarders. Breakfast was typically included, and sometimes supper as well. Boarders could choose to share a room or pay more for a private room. The least expensive rooms tended to be on the top floor or in the attic, as the heat rose and made these spaces uncomfortable for sleeping. While indoor plumbing was rare, most boarding houses provided a washbowl, towels, and a pitcher of fresh water per room, along with a chamber pot.
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Boarding houses were available for rent
In the Old West, boarding houses were available for rent, providing a place to stay for those who needed it. The Old West drew people from all walks of life, including outlaws, lawmen, mothers with children, mail-order brides, ranchers, businessmen, explorers, and miners, gamblers, and cowboys. These individuals were in search of a fresh start, and they needed a place to live when they arrived.
While some cowboys slept outdoors under the stars with their horses nearby, others sought shelter in bunkhouses or boarding houses. Boarding houses were typically larger than single-family homes, with multiple bedrooms, a common washroom, a dining room, and a parlor for the boarders. They were often owned and operated by women, who were well-respected in their communities.
Breakfast was usually included in the rent, and supper was often provided as well. Laundry services were sometimes offered for an additional fee. Boarders could share a room, or they could pay more to have a room to themselves. The least expensive rooms were typically on the top floor, as the heat rose and made those spaces uncomfortable.
In addition to boarding houses, saloons also offered accommodations, as they were sometimes attached to or housed within hotels. These establishments provided meals, drinks, and a place to sleep for travelers. However, not everyone could afford to stay in boarding houses or hotels. For the poor, cheap lodging houses provided basic accommodations at low prices.
Overall, boarding houses played an important role in the Old West, offering a safe haven and a sense of community for those in search of a new beginning.
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Bedrolls were made of wool blankets
Cowboys in the Old West often slept outdoors in bedrolls, which were made of wool blankets. The bedroll was a precursor to the modern sleeping bag, carrying a man's bedding and some personal belongings in a waterproof shell.
The cowboy bedroll was a simple piece of equipment, requiring few materials to create. It consisted of two pieces of material: a piece of canvas on the outside, which was usually waterproofed, and a blanket on the inside, traditionally made of wool. The waterproof canvas acted as a tiny tent, shielding the user from the elements. The wool blanket was chosen for its superior qualities compared to cotton: wool is more water-resistant and can retain up to 80% of its heat capability when wet. It is also durable and, with proper care, can last for generations.
The bedroll was also used by Confederate soldiers during the Civil War, where it was carried diagonally over one shoulder and tied at the hip. The soldiers' bedrolls included a rubber blanket, which served as a ground cloth to sleep on, with the wool blanket on top. This setup allowed soldiers to sleep relatively dry, which was a novelty at the time.
Cowboys would take their bedrolls with them when they went into town, unrolling them in the corner of a boarding house room or a stable loft. When out on the range, they would tie their bedrolls to their pack horses. In wet weather, they would take their hats, ropes, boots, and spurs to bed with them, and in cold weather, their bridles too, to keep them from getting too cold.
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Bedrolls were also used as storage
In the Old West, cowboys slept outdoors under the stars, with their horses nearby. They used bedrolls, which were made of a waterproof canvas tarpaulin, a wool blanket, and sometimes a rubber groundcloth.
The bedroll was also used to transport a cowboy's belongings while out on the range. It served as a suitcase of sorts, holding all of their possessions. The canvas tarp that made up the bedroll was waterproof, helping to keep the contents dry.
Cowboys also had access to "bed wagons," which were specifically intended to transport their personal beds and other belongings. However, the bedroll allowed for more mobility and flexibility, as it could be easily rolled up and carried on horseback.
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Frequently asked questions
Cowboys slept on bedrolls under the stars, with their horses nearby. They could also sleep in bunkhouses, which had thin walls and a wood stove.
Cowboy bedrolls consisted of a wool blanket, a rubber groundcloth, and a change of clothes. The rubber groundcloth was very waterproof, allowing cowboys to sleep relatively dry.
Yes, there were boarding houses in the Old West, though they were quite different from modern hotels. They often had multiple bedrooms, a common washroom, a dining room, and a parlor. Boarders could share a room, and breakfast was usually included.
No, there were no apartments in the Old West. People either built their own homes, found an abandoned cabin, or rented a house in some cities.
