African American Cowboys, Calhoun County, Texas, circa 1894

(Click picture to make larger)

While it may seem strange to find pictures of African American cowboys in a blog about a Swedish American family, this blog is, in truth, about how this family lived, their place, their work, their surroundings and what interested them as revealed through what they photographed.  And, in these pictures, you will find. not just Swedes, but the many different peoples with whom they interacted.  You will see the diversity of America at the turn of the century. 

The Handbook of Texas Online (Texas State Historical Association) notes in its history of Calhoun County that

“Among those who registered brands in the county were several African Americans... Other blacks who had been cowboys as slaves continued driving cattle to Texas ports.”

Probably taken the same day as the “making ice cream” photo (#186).  This photo is tentatively dated to circa 1894, based on its relationship to other photos from this event.

Identifier: Negative 247

People: Unidentified African American cowboys