Oklahoma May Lillie Sharp Shooter Cowgirl and Husband Pawnee Bill Real Photo Postcard

Theodore Roosevelt's profound connection to the American West, cultivated during his ranching days in the Dakota Territory in the 1880s, significantly shaped his public image. This "cowboy" persona, embodying rugged individualism, physical vigor, and a deep appreciation for the outdoors, became a cornerstone of his political identity. His embrace of Western life, including horsemanship and hunting, solidified his reputation as a man of action and purpose, resonating deeply with the American public in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

This portrayal, likely from the early 1900s, reflects the era's romanticization of the American West. The figure of the cowboy was transforming from a frontier laborer into a national symbol of independence, adventure, and strength. Roosevelt's public appearances in such attire reinforced this cultural narrative, linking his presidential leadership and conservation efforts with the pioneering spirit that defined a significant period of American expansion and identity formation.