James A. Crutchfield

James A. Crutchfield is the author of fifty books, including volumes on various aspects of American history, biography, and general interest subjects. He conceived and was lead editor of the two-volume encyclopedia The Settlement of America: Encyclopedia of Westward Expansion from Jamestown to the Closing of the Frontier. He is the 2011 recipient of the Western Writers of America (WWA) Owen Wister Award for Lifetime Achievement in Western Literature and is in the Western Writers Hall of Fame. Over the years he has also received a Spur Award, three Stirrup Awards, and the Branding Iron Award from WWA, as well as two commendation awards from the American Association for State and Local History. He is a Tennessee native where he lives in Franklin

Latest from James A. Crutchfield

The American West: The Battle of Granby -- 2004

Marvin Heemeyer climbed into his improvised tank-bulldozer, cranked up the engine, and proceeded to drive through the wall of his rented building onto the parking lot of business neighbor Cody Docheff’s newly constructed concrete plant.

James A. CrutchfieldJuly 14, 2024

The Golden Spike ceremony on completion of the first transcontinental railroad, as trains of the Central Pacific and Union Pacific rail met at Promontory, Utah, on May 10 1869. The image is one half of a stereoscopic image.

The American West: Transcontinental Railroad Challenge No. 1 — Where To Put It

Before the first transcontinental railroad could open the untamed West to the rest of the nation, a crucial decision had to be made — where to put it.

James A. CrutchfieldJuly 06, 2024

An illustration depicting Fetterman's Massacre that was printed in Harper's Weekly on March 23, 1867. The battle was Dec. 21, 1866.

The American West: Fetterman’s Massacre Was High Drama On The High Plains

The bloody and ill-advised skirmish with Indian warriors at Fort Phil Kearny in 1866 that became known as Fetterman's Massacre didn’t have to happen. Capt. William J. Fetterman disregarded orders and got his troops wiped out.

James A. CrutchfieldJune 23, 2024

For nearly 200 years, the rendezvous has been a truly American invention that not only promoted westward expansion and exploration, it was — and still is — one hell of a party.

American West: The Rendezvous Was — And Still Is — One Hell Of A Party

In 1825, Gen. William Ashley introduced a system known as the rendezvous, a methodology that revolutionized, but also simplified, the entire concept of trading with the American Indians. A total of 15 annual rendezvous were held between 1825 and 1840 and 11 of them were in Wyoming.

James A. CrutchfieldJune 15, 2024