306Z Winter 2026 Boone, Crockett, and Carson: Creating the Legend of the Frontier Hero

Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, and Kit Carson remain iconic figures in the history of the American frontier. They each became legends in their own lifetimes. Even before his heroic and well-publicized death at the Alamo, Crocket was frequently the subject of heroic tall tales and works of fiction. But Boone and Carson weren’t far behind him through 19th Century dime novels. Their adventures—real and legendary—were influential in creating the archetypal frontier hero of American folklore. During the 20th century, films and television turned all three of them into icons of American popular culture. Evidence suggests that in the 21st Century they are being replaced by new icons—real and imaginary.

Jim Anderson served three years in the Air Force and 27 years in the CIA. In retirement, he conducted leadership seminars at Civil War battlefields. He holds an MA in History from the University of Memphis. Since 2009, he has taught classes and conducted tours at OLLI on the Civil War and the American Frontier.