Life in ancient Rome was far from a carefree playground for youngsters. Even the lucky ones who made it past the perilous first years faced a future packed with hard, often hazardous labor that offered scant reward. Only a select privileged minority could truly enjoy the spoils of Roman society.

10 Harsh Realities Of Growing Up In Ancient Rome

10 Being Welcomed Into The Family

In ancient Rome, the pater familias held absolute power over his household, a status cemented by Roman law and the traditional customs known as mos maiorum. He alone could own land and was tasked with representing the family in legal, commercial, and religious matters.

Although the term pater familias translates to “father of the family,” the role didn’t always belong to the biological dad. The title passed to the eldest living male, meaning that if the father died, the oldest son would inherit the position. This explains why Romans prized male offspring and why male adoption was a common practice.

When a newborn arrived, the pater familias had to formally welcome the child. Traditionally, a midwife placed the infant at the father’s feet; only if he lifted the baby did it become an official family member. The patriarch could even disown or sell his children into slavery if they displeased him, and early Roman law technically permitted him to kill them—a practice that later emperors, beginning with Augustus, moved to outlaw.

9 Receiving The Bulla

Because infant mortality was alarmingly high, Roman children weren’t given a name at birth. Instead, families waited a week before naming the child during a ceremony called the dies lustricus (the “day of purification”). Much like a modern birthday, friends and relatives visited to present gifts and offer good wishes.

During this celebration, male infants received a bulla—a pendant meant to fend off evil spirits and to signify the boy’s status as a freeborn Roman citizen. Scholars still debate whether girls also wore a bulla or a different amulet known as a lunula.

Boys were expected to keep their bullae on until they reached adulthood, while girls wore their pendants until marriage. Wealthy families could afford gold bullae, but the lower classes made do with versions crafted from leather, bronze, or tin.

8 The Stages Of A Child’s Life

A Roman youngster’s life was divided into clearly defined stages, both socially and legally. The first phase, infantia, covered birth to age seven for both boys and girls. During this time, children stayed at home under the care of parents, grandparents, guardians, and older siblings, and were considered doli incapax—incapable of criminal intent.

From roughly ages 12 (girls) and 14 (boys) onward, children entered the impuberes stage, still presumed doli incapax but beginning to explore the world beyond the home. They started venturing out, interacting with strangers, and, if the family could afford it, began formal education away from home.

Girls older than twelve became eligible for marriage, while boys reached manhood at fifteen. Upon crossing that threshold, they gained legal privileges and responsibilities, though Roman law still treated them as adolescents until age twenty‑five.

7 Getting An Education

Education in ancient Rome, as in many societies, was largely a privilege of the wealthy. Rough estimates suggest that only about 20 % of the population could read and write, though this varied across different periods.

During most of the Republic, learning was informal, passed down from parents to children. After Rome’s conquest of Greece in 146 B.C., the Greek educational model began to permeate the empire. Tutors—often slaves—became more common, and formal schooling grew in importance.

Children typically entered school at seven, taught by a litterator who instructed them in reading, writing, basic arithmetic, and sometimes Greek. Around age twelve or thirteen, those who could afford it progressed to a “grammar school” led by a grammaticus, where they studied literature, poetry, and the arts. The highest tier involved studying rhetoric under a teacher who introduced them to the works of masters like Cicero and Quintilian.

6 Playing Around

Roman kids enjoyed a variety of toys that mirror many modern equivalents. Infants were often soothed by a rattle called a crepitaculum, crafted from wood or metal and sometimes adorned with bells. Beyond its playful function, the rattle may have also served as a protective charm, similar to the bulla.

Girls favored dolls and puppets made from terracotta, wax, clay, wood, metal, or stone. Some dolls featured articulated limbs, while others could be dressed and accessorized with miniature jewelry.

Boys gravitated toward moving toys such as wheeled carts or wooden horses, and they loved wooden swords for pretend battles. Hoops, kites, balls, and spinning tops were also popular across all ages.

Board games enjoyed by both the young and old involved dice, knucklebones, and stone pieces. Other pastimes included hide‑and‑seek, leapfrog, and a Roman version of tic‑tac‑toe called terni lapilli.

5 The Family Pet

Just like today, ancient Romans cherished animal companions, and many households kept one or more pets. Cats were common, as were Old World monkeys such as Barbary macaques, which authors and poets frequently referenced for their mischievous behavior.

Snakes also featured as pets, though they were primarily regarded as religious symbols and were not typical household animals. Wealthier families often kept birds, whose specialized diets and care made them status symbols beyond the reach of ordinary citizens.

Dogs, however, were the undisputed favorite. They appear frequently in Roman literature, pottery, paintings, and bas‑reliefs, serving both as beloved companions and practical helpers for hunting and guarding. Many Pompeian homes even displayed the famous “Cave canem” (“beware of the dog”) mosaics warning visitors of the resident canine.

4 Finding A Job

The social standing of a boy’s family largely dictated the career avenues available once he reached adolescence. The most prestigious roles lay in politics, but those positions were reserved for the elite and required extensive education.

Slightly lower on the hierarchy were administrative jobs within the empire—tax collectors, notaries, clerks, lawyers, teachers, and the like. These occupations were typically open to well‑educated young men, though some educated slaves, especially Greeks, could also fill such roles.

The most accessible option for most Roman freemen was military service. As a militaristic empire, Rome constantly needed soldiers, providing a steady income and the possibility of land ownership after a 25‑year term of service.

As the empire expanded, the job market diversified. Adolescents could become merchants, artists, entertainers, or tradesmen, though these occupations were usually passed down from father to son. Securing an apprenticeship often required a family connection or patron.

3 Getting Married

Male youths didn’t have to worry about marriage until their mid‑twenties, but girls were expected to wed as early as twelve. Since most girls lacked the extensive education afforded to boys, families saw little reason to keep them at home beyond child‑bearing age.

Wealthy families often married their daughters even younger than their working‑class counterparts, using the marriage as a strategic tool to climb the social ladder. Parents guarded this valuable commodity closely, ensuring their daughters remained chaste and of marriageable age.

Girls had virtually no say in choosing a spouse; the pater familias handled all arrangements, scouting for suitable husbands and negotiating with the prospective groom’s family.

The wedding itself featured many customs that evolved over centuries, some of which persist today—such as the bride wearing white and being carried over the threshold of her new home.

2 Finding A Place To Live

At its zenith, ancient Rome housed over a million residents—a population size not replicated in Europe until the industrial era in London. This massive density forced the city to develop impressive infrastructure, such as aqueducts and the Cloaca Maxima sewage system, but it also made Rome one of the most congested places to grow up.

Two primary types of housing existed. The affluent could afford a domus, a spacious house with multiple rooms, an interior courtyard, and sometimes ground‑level shops called tabernae. The ultra‑rich owned sprawling villas outside the city’s bustle.

The majority of Romans lived in multi‑story apartment blocks known as insulae. As construction techniques improved, these buildings grew taller, some reaching eight or nine stories. By the third century, roughly 44,000 insulae dotted the city, often cramming entire families into a single room.

The floor on which a family resided reflected their social standing. Ground‑level spaces housed businesses, the first few stories offered more spacious and expensive apartments, while upper floors became increasingly cramped and hazardous. Fires were common, and residents on the highest levels often found themselves trapped. Augustus limited the legal height of insulae to 70 Roman feet (about 20.7 m), and Nero later reduced it to 60 Roman feet (≈17.7 m) after the Great Fire.

1 Becoming A Man

Reaching sexual maturity marked a pivotal moment for Roman adolescents. Girls were expected to remain virgins until marriage, and their transition to adulthood was largely signified by the wedding night rather than any elaborate rite.

Boys entered puberty around fifteen or sixteen. In addition to discarding their protective bulla, they swapped their “toga praetexta” for the plain white “toga virilis,” which signaled full male citizenship.

The Liberalia festival celebrated this coming‑of‑age, featuring food, wine, song, and dance. It was originally linked to the lavish Bacchanalia honoring Bacchus, the god of wine and fertility. After the Senate attempted to suppress the Bacchanalia, the two festivals blended, preserving their festive spirit.

A sixteen‑year‑old Roman male could engage in sexual relationships before marriage. Wealthy men often took slaves as lovers, while commoners visited prostitutes. Such liaisons were socially acceptable for men even after they wed; adultery was primarily viewed as a crime when a married woman was involved with a non‑husband.

If you ever fancied hopping into a time‑machine to see how kids lived thousands of years ago, you might think the adventure would be thrilling. In reality, the ancient Chinese landscape was a relentless proving ground, especially for anyone who wasn’t born into wealth or power. The 10 harsh realities that defined a youngster’s life in ancient China were as unforgiving as they were fascinating, and they paint a picture far removed from the romanticized silk‑road tales we often hear.

10 Harsh Realities Unveiled

10 Filial Piety

The cornerstone of traditional Chinese society was the concept of “filial piety,” a doctrine hammered into every child’s mind by the teachings of Confucius. This principle dictated that children owed absolute reverence and obedience to their parents, especially the father, who sat at the top of the household hierarchy.

Within the family unit, the father acted as the undisputed head, while the mother’s role was reduced to supporting his directives and, crucially, producing a male heir. If the patriarch was absent, the eldest son automatically assumed authority, and his mother was expected to submit to his command. A husband could even abandon his wife and remarry if she failed to bear a son, underscoring the patriarchal pressure to continue the male line.

Confucian ideology extended beyond the home, insisting that every individual—regardless of class, gender, or age—fulfill a prescribed social role. Even when a father behaved abusively, the doctrine of filial piety demanded that children continue to honor and obey him, reinforcing a rigid power structure that echoed all the way up to the emperor, whose authority was similarly unquestioned, even amid corruption.

9 Access to Education

One of the most effective ways to keep the lower classes complacent was to restrict learning. Formal schooling was a privilege reserved for the sons of affluent families, and even then, only teenage boys from the elite could hope to receive an education. These privileged youths were the only ones with the resources to tackle the highly selective state examinations that opened doors to political influence.

The curriculum revolved around calligraphy and the Confucian classics, with every citizen—educated or not—required to recite the five virtues at a moment’s notice. It wasn’t until the Han dynasty (beginning in 206 BC) that a public education system emerged, aiming to cultivate a more enlightened populace.

Even with this modest expansion, the civil service exams remained brutally competitive. Aspirants endured years of relentless study, then entered cramped examination cells armed with only food, a waste bucket, and writing tools. They were locked inside for three days without a single stretch break. The testing ladder started with provincial exams and culminated in a national exam administered by the emperor only once every three years, boasting pass rates that could dip as low as one in three thousand.

Those rare scholars who survived this gauntlet became the celebrated historical figures we study today. The stakes were so high that cheating was punishable by death, underscoring how education was both a ladder of opportunity and a weapon of oppression.

8 Your Job Options

For the overwhelming majority born into poverty, the only realistic path was endless toil in the fields. Whether tending rice in the south or wheat and millet in the north, manual labor defined daily existence for men, women, and children alike.

The social divide was stark: while a tiny elite enjoyed urban comforts and upward mobility, the masses subsisted in cramped, rust‑stained huts, laboring from sunrise to sunset. Some families, desperate for cash, even sold their daughters into slavery to affluent men.

Beyond farming, many of the poor served as domestic servants for wealthy households, often as eunuch slaves tasked with catering to every whim of their masters. In contrast, the affluent sometimes displayed their status by growing their nails to absurd lengths—an ostentatious sign that they never had to lift a shovel.

7 Love and Marriage

Romance was a luxury few could afford. Intermarriage across social strata was illegal, and parents relied on professional matchmakers to arrange unions that reinforced class boundaries.

Girls were typically forced into marriage around age fifteen, while boys often waited until they were thirty. The bride and groom rarely met before the wedding day, making the ceremony a sudden plunge into an unknown household.

Once married, a woman moved into her husband’s family home and was expected to obey her mother‑in‑law without question. Her value was measured solely by her husband’s status, and infidelity among wealthy men was socially tolerated, further entrenching gender inequities.

6 Diet

Food reflected one’s social standing. The elite—often bureaucrats who passed the civil exams—indulged in a varied diet that included pork, bear’s paw, dog meat, and a plethora of birds such as goose, pheasant, duck, and chicken. While meat was a rare delicacy, fish and rice formed the staple base, complemented by vegetables like yams and turnips. Luxurious items such as shark’s fin, edible bird’s nest, fine wines, and elaborate soups were reserved for the privileged.

Conversely, the vast majority survived on a monotonous fare of plain rice or noodles, rarely supplemented with meat or fish. Vegetables were scarce, and during droughts, famines struck hard, leaving the poor with barely enough sustenance to stay alive.

5 Leisure and Tradition

Even amid hardship, leisure activities and rituals played a vital role in Chinese culture. Young people often passed time playing mahjong, archery, kickball, and checkers, while communal festivals punctuated the calendar.

Ancestor worship was a cornerstone of daily life. Taoist practitioners honored their forebears, and families kept a paper image of the kitchen god Zao Shen, believing he reported their behavior to the heavens each month. When Zao Shen departed for his celestial audit, families burned his image, set off firecrackers, and smeared honey on his lips to ensure a favorable report.

Major celebrations such as the Lantern Festival and Chinese New Year brought neighborhoods together, lighting up streets with lanterns and drums, offering a brief respite from the relentless grind.

4 Got Health Care?

Medical care, when it existed, bore little resemblance to modern practice. Illnesses were often blamed on malevolent spirits or ghosts, prompting doctors—who were more akin to priests or mystics—to perform exorcisms before attempting any physical treatment.

When spiritual remedies fell short, practitioners turned to herbal concoctions and acupuncture, making herbal tea a staple remedy for a host of ailments. The blend of superstition and limited empirical knowledge meant that genuine healing was a rare commodity.

3 Slavery

Slavery permeated ancient Chinese society, offering few avenues for escape. Many slaves were war captives or prisoners, while others were born into bondage, often serving as domestic servants in wealthy households.

Eunuchs, castrated men, were employed as trusted household staff; any breach of protocol—such as entering a room unannounced—could be punishable by death. A particularly gruesome practice involved burying slaves alive when their master died, under the belief they would continue serving in the afterlife. Human sacrifices, typically by decapitation, were also employed to deter rebellion.

Efforts to curb slavery began during the Zhou dynasty (starting 1046 BC) and intensified under the Ming dynasty (1368 AD). Nonetheless, covert slavery persisted in remote regions well into the early 1950s.

2 Foot Binding

In the upper echelons of Tang‑era China, tiny feet became the ultimate symbol of feminine beauty. Girls as young as four or five were subjected to foot binding, a process that involved tightly wrapping the feet to break the arch and force the toes to curl under the sole.

The resulting deformation caused excruciating pain and lifelong immobility, confining women to indoor domestic duties and a life of constant discomfort. Any attempt to remove the bandages risked severe beatings, and the practice remained legal until it was finally outlawed in 1912.

1 The Coming of Age

Reaching adulthood in ancient China was a rare blessing. Infant mortality was high, especially for girls, who were sometimes abandoned or drowned because male children were prized above all else. Poverty, famine, lack of education, and slavery further diminished the odds of surviving to maturity.

For those who did make it, both genders experienced distinct coming‑of‑age ceremonies. Boys typically underwent a “capping” ceremony at age twenty, while girls participated in a “hair‑pinning” rite at fifteen. These rituals, usually hosted by the father, marked the transition into societal responsibility and were steeped in Confucian values.

The Wild West era of American history is often romanticized as a time of rugged outlaws and fearless lawmen. Those people really did exist, of course. But there was much more to this period than just gun battles and train robberies. Beneath the surface of the popular narrative lies the story of everyday people who kept frontier society running. That included bankers, railroad workers, shopkeepers, and ranch hands.

These rugged settlers worked hard to make a living, just as we do today. Even if it wasn’t in a wild manner like cops and robbers, much of their work was honest. And their contributions to the growth and development of the West are just as important as those of the famous gunslingers and lawmen.

While the Wild West may seem like a distant and foreign world, the people who lived during that time were not so different from us. They had to find work and pay for their livelihoods. In turn, they made a life for themselves and their families. To that end, the variety of jobs available during this time was quite diverse. From blacksmiths and stagecoach drivers to merchants and saloon keepers, commerce ruled out West.

In this list today, you’ll learn all about the truth behind ten jobs held by America’s westward pioneers. Some of these sure aren’t as wild as you might think. And they all have a reality far different than the Old West stereotypes so often presented in pop culture!

10 Ranch Work

There’s a good reason the image of the cowboy is ingrained in American culture today. That’s because it was a legitimate and adventurous way to earn a buck out West! On the big screen, the cowboy is a romanticized figure in American culture. He is often portrayed as a heroic and adventurous individual. But the reality of the job was far from glamorous.

The cowboy’s main responsibility was to protect cattle on the ranch where he lived. This was no easy task back in the day. Bandits and outlaws were known to steal cattle constantly. Then, the thieves would sell the valuable meat and hides on the black market. A cowboy had to be constantly vigilant. Think of him as a high-end security guard—with plenty of back-breaking physical duties to carry out, too.

Now, the cowboy is often associated with American culture, but the origins of the profession can be traced back to Mexico. The Mexican cowboy, known as a vaquero, had the same duties as their American counterpart. He was tasked with protecting and overseeing cattle. But the manual labor was often the most brutal part. To be successful in this profession, one had to possess certain skills. These included roping, lassoing, herding, fence-making, and riding.

Cowboys earned decent wages for the time. Many took in between $25 and $40 a month, which is equivalent to about $1,000 to $1,500 in today’s currency. However, the work was grueling. Long days often exceeded the modern 8-hour workday. And there was no paid time off or anything like that. The work droned on until it was done!^[1]

9 Law Enforcement

The image you almost certainly have of the Wild West is that of a lawless frontier. You see it being overrun by gun-slinging outlaws, right? Well, that’s a common scene perpetuated by movies and pop culture. But the reality of the era was quite different. There were certainly instances of banditry—and we’ll discuss that below—but the overall level of lawlessness was not as widespread as depicted. In fact, law enforcement jobs were some of the most consistent and high-prestige gigs in the region!

In the absence of a formal law enforcement structure from the state, fledgling towns in the Old West had to establish their own methods of order. This led to the rise of strongman figures like sheriffs, deputies, and bounty hunters. They brought criminals to justice and proudly defended their communities. Additionally, lawyers, judges, and executioners were well-paid to ensure outlaws were punished accordingly.

As formal society moved westward in time, the region offered a variety of legitimate work opportunities for those seeking to uphold the law. Positions such as U.S. Marshals were commonly found in more established towns. And the need for paid, full-time law enforcement officials was high throughout the frontier. However, as with any system, there were opportunities for corruption. Some towns became known as “outlaw towns.” There, the local government was controlled by criminals and corrupt city managers.

Over the years, state lawmen would work to fight back against the grift. Bounty hunters would swoop in, too. They could make big bucks working somewhat outside the structure of the law. Of course, their jobs came with considerable risk to themselves. But despite all that, the West provided a unique and exciting opportunity for those willing to take on the challenges of law enforcement. Prestige was part of the gig from the start—and the pay often proved decent enough to turn it into a career.^[2]

8 Mining

Mining has long been seen as a gritty, unglamorous profession. This has certainly been true in the coal mines of the East Coast, where the dangers of the job have often outweighed the potential for profit. However, on the American frontier, the situation was different.

The miners here were digging for gold and silver. Many worked alone and in small teams. And a single successful strike could lead to immediate and sometimes lifelong wealth. This quest for gold and silver led to the settlement of many towns on the Western frontier. The men who came after these riches often failed, but the drive for wealth proved alluring.

As the mining industry in the West grew, it expanded to include other minerals. Iron, copper, oil, and gas were all pulled out of the ground in time. This meant more opportunities for profit. As a result, more people were eager to work in the mines. But despite the potential for wealth, mining was far from easy or simple. Safety was often overlooked, and the health of the miners was almost completely disregarded.

A study at a mine in Butte, Montana, found that miners were dying from tuberculosis at 10 times the national average. Of course, it was likely due to the presence of dust in the mine. Scientific data from the old days is scarce, of course, but this was very likely not an isolated incident. Similar conditions often existed in other mining operations as well. Miners worked tirelessly during their lives, putting their bodies through hell in the hopes of (quite literally) striking gold. Some did… and changed their lives forever—but most failed and fell by the wayside.^[3]

7 Saloon Bartender

Saloons were a staple of the Wild West. Like lawmen, barkeepers were present in nearly every frontier town. The saloons’ simplicity in setup made them a profitable venture for entrepreneurs. And they served as a natural community center of sorts—for all the adult men in town, at least.

All that was needed was a roof over one’s head, some seating, and of course, alcohol. These establishments often served as the first businesses to open in new towns. The harsh conditions of frontier life left people in need of a place to unwind. And with single men being overrepresented on the frontier, especially in its early days, the saloon became a place to congregate.

Working at a saloon was a very viable option for those seeking employment out West. The nature of the job allowed for a flexible schedule. Plus, the pay and tips were pretty decent, usually, which meant workers often had a chance to save some money. Many bartenders even used the job as a stepping stone to other service-related careers. Of course, the size of the establishment determined the number of employees needed. In small towns, the operations were minuscule. But business was usually always good because settlers almost always wanted to drink.

And as saloons grew, so too did the need for additional staff. Jobs were added constantly as saloons ballooned. Gambling operators, porters, and tobacco room attendants all became legitimate work options. Of course, while the job opportunities were plentiful, the nature of the work was not always respectable. Saloon keepers were often seen as immoral by the more religious townsfolk. And constantly having to break up bar fights wasn’t exactly a highlight of the gig. But the work was steady, and the pay kept rolling in. For many, that’s all they could ask!^[4]

6 Teaching School

Teaching has always played a vital role in society. After all, someone must pass down knowledge and skills to future generations, right? This was especially true in the Wild West. There, the importance of education was not overlooked. Despite the prominence of other establishments, such as saloons, towns knew they needed teachers. So they would make it a point to bring skilled educators out when settlements got large enough.

A teacher’s job in an Old West town was grueling in some ways. The days were long, and the demands from the kids were varied. But it was largely work held in high esteem. And it was remarkably consistent in its delivery. So, many seeking some sense of normalcy way out west would line up to teach. It offered the ability to work closely with the frontier’s future, after all.

The one-room prairie schoolhouse is often depicted in popular culture. And it really was a common sight on the frontier. These schools presented unique challenges for teachers. After all, they were responsible for educating a diverse range of ages and abilities within a single classroom. Young children and teenagers were all housed together during the school day. So teachers had to get creative with their delivery methods. Literacy was paramount. Reading, writing, and arithmetic were key functions of the role.

In that way, many teachers succeeded in bringing literacy to the Great Plains and beyond. All the way through, it required careful lesson planning and the ability to keep all students engaged. While colleges were a long way off at the time, getting more kids through school each year helped to settle and civilize the wild pioneers of the Old West. Subsequent generations still have those teachers to thank!^[5]

5 Banking and Finance

As we’ve seen, the Wild West is often depicted as a lawless frontier. Danger lurked around every corner! In some cases, it certainly did. But as we are learning, this perception of the Old West is not entirely accurate. Take the profession of banking, for example. Sure, there were certainly instances of robberies by armed bandits. But banking was largely an above-board endeavor.

In fact, banking was a relatively safe and steady employment opportunity in many Western towns. Banks on the frontier came in various forms. Some were owned by private investors. Others were developed by larger corporations like the Hudson Bay Company and Wells Fargo.

With the discovery of gold in California, the need for banks increased dramatically. Almost overnight, prospectors sought to protect and grow their newfound wealth. This provided ample opportunities for all types of bank workers. From owners to tellers, the jobs were plentiful. The creation of the United States national banking system in 1863 further added stability to the banking industry.

In fact, it standardized currency transfers between banks and eliminated the threat of “wildcat banks” that took deposits and then disappeared. As a result, regulation brought a sense of security to the employment opportunities within banks. And it gave the general public more trust in them. Just as we’ve seen with old-time school teachers, banking became a relatively noble profession in the Old West.^[6]

4 Railroad Work

As the mining and ranching industries boomed in the Old West, related job opportunities flourished. The Central Pacific Railroad expansion westward, in particular, required an overwhelming amount of labor. All the men that wanted to work could get on with the railroad. But there were still more spaces to fill, and the frontier alone could not provide it. Despite needing thousands of laborers at any given time to build out track, there just weren’t that many able hands.

To fill this gap, Central Pacific looked to Chinese immigrants to supply the necessary workforce. This was a significant development in the American frontier. It not only helped build the railroad, but it also provided jobs for many people. And it brought an entirely new wave of immigrants to the West.

As you might expect, money was abundant in the railroad business. Monthly wages at the time ranged right around the modern-day equivalent of $1,000. For settlers seeking steady work and some pay, those were big bucks. It gave many men some semblance of normalcy through what was otherwise a rough life. But the work was back-breaking too.

The Union Pacific and the Central Pacific Railroad laid over 1,700 miles (2,736 kilometers) of tracks across the West. It required a tremendous amount of labor and money. And many of those who built out the lines buckled under the physical toll. Even so, these men effectively built the American frontier as we know it today. Without their work, logistics out West would have been unimaginably bad, and modernity would have gotten to the frontier at an even slower pace.^[7]

3 Blacksmithing

The blacksmithing profession may not be as memorable today as some other careers in the Old West. But it was certainly one of the most reliable. And it was particularly profitable, too! During frontier times, blacksmiths were in high demand. Today, some even consider it a “golden age” for the profession. With the development of settler locales and the need for construction, blacksmiths immediately became the region’s go-to experts on tools.

Frontier founders relied on their expertise in crafting tools. From hammers to horseshoes, everything needed to be strong and durable for use on a daily basis. To that end, it was the blacksmith’s job to keep everything running. And many soon became responsible for creating and repairing heavy agricultural equipment like plows and shovels.

Blacksmiths were well-compensated for their services. At the time, many earned anywhere from $1 to $1.50 per day for repairs. Some even pocketed $5 or more every time they carved out new equipment. In today’s currency, that equates to roughly $30 to $200 per day. It may not sound like much to some of you, but back then, those were serious wages. Blacksmiths were even responsible for repairing carriages, too. That added to the diversity of services they offered.

In turn, it only increased their earning potential. The wages were so good that blacksmiths would often hire apprentices to assist with daily operations. Slowly, these experts would teach the trade to their young charges. This not only helped with the workload but also ensured the continuation of the profession. For decades, blacksmiths lived well out West. And the things they forged helped to create the frontier!^[8]

2 Service Industry Gigs

The American West was a land of opportunity for many people. As we’ve seen, a wide range of businesses popped up in frontier towns. These businesses all required a diverse set of workers. Some had specialized skills, as we’ve already seen with blacksmiths. But others had far more transferrable abilities. In the growing service industry, in particular, these less-skilled workers found reliable career paths. Restaurants, hotels, saloons, and other establishments provided various employment options.

Every business had an owner, and every owner needed workers to keep their business running smoothly and generating money. Plus, settler towns were full of transient men just passing through. They needed spots in which to stay, dine, and drink. Suddenly, service work in hotels and restaurants became critical to a town’s infrastructure.

As the 20th century approached, the food and hospitality industries in the West began to evolve. Fancier dishes made their way out to the frontier. Things like oysters and other delicacies started getting shipped out on newly-laid train tracks. The appearance of new products like that required even more specialization from cooks and staff.

Hotels also saw a boom in quality and quantity. Of course, they were not nearly as luxurious as they are today. Hotels of the era were often remarkably dirty and lacked basic amenities like bathtubs. Nonetheless, travelers still needed a place to sleep. And workers were very much needed to keep the operations running. Thus, the service industry boomed. Even without most high-end amenities, the opportunity for employment in the West’s hospitality industry was always strong.^[9]

1 Journalism

The frontier may not have seemed like a place that would involve the newspaper business. But interestingly, papers were actually quite prevalent! Take the then-tiny town of Tucson, Arizona. In the 1831 census, it was recorded as having five different newspapers. And that was with having only 465 residents in town that year! That works out to almost one newspaper for every one hundred locals.

People wanted news in the West, and papers popped up all over to provide it. And this doesn’t even include the magazines that were also published across frontier towns. There was no television or radio back then, of course. So settlers needed some other way to get information. Papers were a relatively cost-effective way of (quite literally) spreading the news. Western readers—many of whom had been taught to read by those aforementioned school teachers—picked up copies in droves.

The newspaper industry required many different jobs to keep it running smoothly. Of course, there were the writers who crafted the words. But there were also the specialized design and print staffers who brought them to life on paper. And every town had people who delivered the newspapers to readers. Thus, each and every small newspaper and magazine needed a variety of people to keep it going. The content of these papers was diverse too.

Over the years, it spanned local news, wires from back East, political opinions, and even sports. For those with a talent for writing and something to say, the Old West was a great place to be. Running a paper truly meant keeping a thumb on the pulse of that outlet’s local area.^[10]

+ BONUS: Crime

We might as well talk about it, right? Today, outlaws and bandits are seen as a key part of the Old West. And while the reality of their presence is slightly more mundane than John Wayne might have you believe, crime did pay—sometimes—on the frontier. After all, in remote settlements, the law was often far away. People largely loved it! After all, they were free to live their lives as they saw fit. Adventurous men took to the West like moths to a flame. But not everybody was there to play nice.

Among those who sought their fortunes in the untamed frontier were unscrupulous and violent outlaws. They made a living by preying on the weak among them. Many of the worst simply took what they wanted by force. Although they were reviled by most settlers, these outlaws were very much a part of the fabric of the Wild West. And for disillusioned men who had been cast aside by society, banditry offered an alternative form of employment. Many who were not cut out for more traditional careers turned to crime and the dreams of quick cash.

However, it’s important to remember that the Wild West was not as wild as it is often portrayed today. Despite the lawlessness that characterized the frontier, the law did ultimately prevail. Many of the most famous gunfights and outlaw raids were short-lived and scattered. Often, law enforcement officials of the era were able to bring culprits to swift and violent justice. The shine of being an outlaw in the Old West typically wore off quickly.

With prison and death very real possibilities for those gangsters, the reality of thug life on the frontier was a stark one. After all, there’s a reason so many bandits didn’t live to see old age. The career simply wasn’t a viable long-term option, even if it seemed attractive at first.^[11]