Straw Hats in the Old West

[@scrappybobbarker5224]

I used to have a sombrero from a halloween costume i got because it was a dollar, iwore it out mowing and working in the yard. When i first got it i was outside and my dog came racing up to greet me. Then he saw the hat and ran away yelping.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

HAHA!

[@cindysplace]

My Grandfather had straw hats for when he was farming and felt hats for when he cleaned up for going to town or church. Good video!

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Cool!

[@carlosangulo3035]

Yup straw hats are for work,and felts for night out or a event!

[@CalebD413]

The quality of a well-weaved straw hat is worth its weight in gold. Mine have lasted me through many a Phoenix summer!

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Yes!

[@brianmorris7823]

There should be a playlist for all the hat videos. You have a lot of good videos on hats and they deserve to be grouped together to help us hat folks see them all. Need to do a video specifically on John Stetson as well.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

OK! I'l make one right now

[@charlesehmke8403]

@@ArizonaGhostriders 😂

[@gravemarker]

There are pictures from Sullivan’s last bare knuckle match outside of St. Louis in 1889. Half of the spectators were wearing straw boaters.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Yes

[@dr.froghopper6711]

Whassat Santee? No baked cabeza? But but but I can’t afford a Stetson palm leaf brain shade. But if I could, you are wearing the exact hat that I would choose. New Mexico, much like AZ, gets a tad warmish in the summer months. I’m a farmer by trade and that hat would be perfecto! The hat I wear now is functional but about as stylish and character filled as one can be, for a synthetic fiber, Chinese sewn shade. I have much more character than that hat. But a high quality, palm leaf Stetson would be worthy of my massive brain case and I would make it look GOOOOOOOD, like you. We gotta represent donchaknow!

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Sure! But this Stetson was only $40! Go find one at Cowtown Boots.

[@ShinKyuubi]

A good straw hat in the summer cannot be understated...in the south where temps hit 90+ easy on the regular, you want a straw hat if you are gonna be outside in the sun for any length of time.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Yup!

[@cobenhawkins5790]

I wear a Sunbody Palm Leaf, have wore them for 13 years or more their crushable, washable, shapeable, and stichable

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Yes!

[@TUCOtheratt]

Great video!😃 I wear a straw hat all summer. It's amazing how the perfectly fit straw hat can stay on in a stiff breeze.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Yes it does!

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

I have a few of em. My favorite is my "Jerry Reed" hat, with the brim rolled up high and held tight to the crown by the stampede string. Yeeee hawwww!

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Cool!

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Never realized how prevalent they were!

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

🥃

[@NGMonocrom]

100-degree weather!? Bit surprised you didn't say, _"But it's a dry heat."_ 🤠 Can we please get a video on Churches in the Wild West, and which denominations were popular? Thanks, Santee. ⛪

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Sure. Got one on religion. Check it out

[@ErikRaigoso]

I DIDNT REALIZE BLONDIES FIRST HAT WAS MADE OF STRAW. I was over here thinking it was a white felt and was searching for a hat like it

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

They make 'em

[@EasternOutlaw09]

In Australia during the 19th century, it seems these straw hats were what was primarily worn by bushrangers (basically Australian outlaws) many depictions of the Kelly Gang, Ben Hall, Mad Dan Morgan and Happy Jack Gilbert all wore them

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Great history there!

[@TUCOtheratt]

Possible video subject. Saloon swinging doors that frame so many scenes in western movies. They look so cool, but did they exist in old west towns? Sorry if you've already done the subject, I didn't see it in your videos.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

I haven't. Only found a couple photos to show them during the period. Waiting to find more. Thanks for the idea!

[@TUCOtheratt]

@@ArizonaGhostriders I have wondered about that a lot. It seemed like everything in the Old West was practical. Doors were to keep the cold and people out and I would think even in southern Arizona they would have had to install real doors in the winter or maybe there was a second set that closed over the swinging doors or a sliding bard door. The only practical advantage that I would think they have is that the party sounds might carry out into the street inviting customers that might otherwise go to another bar to spend money.

[@terryschiller2625]

My hats off too you Santee never knew they were so popular back then.🤠

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Thank You!

[@johnkriete2152]

My hats off to you Sante, I was brimming with anticipation for this episode. It really caps off all the excitement of haberdashery.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

It was a crowning achievement.

[@jeffw1246]

I have a Buffalo fur "drifter" for cool weather and 5 grass/straw hats I use most of the time. Bald heads really get sunburn quick. A small boy saw me at a burger shop and explained "cowboy!". He wasn't far off, I had one of my single action 45s in shoulder rig under my cover shirt.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

COol!

[@ericruss4189]

Very interesting Santee! I have a photo of my Grandfather, circa 1920, wearing a boater straw hat. He looked very dapper.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Very cool!

[@fordenginebuildersv8power184]

Thank the Lord for straw hats ! Have several beaver felt but they get hot and sweaty when it’s warm out! Straw is much better! Great video !

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Thank You!

[@joshuabessire9169]

Me going in: Santee's really grasping for straws, here. Me having watch the episode: I need a straw hat for Father's Day.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

HA!

[@lawrencelewis2592]

The thing about a straw hat like a Panama which I wear every day in warm weather is that it needs to look "salty." A new one takes some time to get there, like a faded pair of Levi's dungarees. The popular term for a straw boater was "skimmer" or as James Cagney pronounced it, "skimma."

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Awesome

[@BadKarma714]

Hey Santee, we need some more of your wife saying pew, pew in the videos. She’s an awesome talent.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Next week. She's back again!

[@ewmhop]

ANOTHER GREAT VIDEO SIR,HALF EXPECTED A BARBERSHOP QUARTET CLIP IN HERE ALSO STRAW HATS WERE USED BY THE ARMY SOMETIMES ON CAMPAIGNS.GOD BLESS YOY AND FAMILY

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Almost put one in there.

[@claytonslavens2074]

I love my Atwood palm. Great for mowing the grass. We would wear cheap straw hats when baling hay. It was a tradition that the last bale got those hats tossed into the bailer.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Nice!

[@JEDiTV]

Yep, gotta have a good straw hat for the hot days! Thanks for another history lesson Santee!

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Thank You!

[@justdustino1371]

Good video! Good topic! Those straw hats work well when we ride the mower or tractor too!

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

You got that right!

[@bostonrailfan2427]

Boater hats were popular due to ivy league schools requiring them, Roosevelt was a Harvard guy straw conical hats are universal: they’re found on every continent among pre-European cultures with the Asian cultures most famous for them. they’re simply great hats to use until the temperature gets below freezing 😎

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

🥃🥃

[@bewarethebear]

Well your straw hat short already sent me down the toquilla palm rabbit hole, so this is a welcome follow-up!

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Excellent!

[@chubbethsthunder]

Santee, Keep the great Old West content coming. Thank you very much. Have a blessed weekend.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

You bet

[@some_humvee8466]

Its almost that time of year again

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Yep

[@joemortimer1763]

Yep, anudda great episode, Pard. You really had it covered with the straw hats. Funny, I was just talking about them last week. Shaping by steaming the brim and crown can easily be done with a tea kettle, which cools quicker, thereby sets in the shape much quicker and easier, and also keeps the desired shape longer especially when outside all day.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Awesome, Joe!

[@dennishein2812]

Wore a number of straws out over the years. They tend to crack and split eventually. Beats felt in the heat. We usually bring the straws out when the heat hits 70 - 75 degrees. Keeps my Crome dome from getting sunburn and doesn’t melt you like a felt in summer.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Right! About how many seasons until they split apart, in your experience?

[@dennishein2812]

@@ArizonaGhostriders depending on quality anywhere from 3 to 5 or 6. The one I thought was cheap lasted the longest until I pulled it down on a hot sweaty day when a breeze kicked up and ripped the brim. I’ve had Stetson and ones I bought at a vendor at the fair that were made in Mexico (the Stetson might a come from Mexico too). My long lasting one was one of those. It also didn’t seem to have as much lacquer ,or whatever they use to stiffen them up, cause the brim was always a bit softer. The weave was also different but I can’t describe it. Haven’t had one that good since and I’m in a wheelchair now so I don’t get out working in the heat like I used to. My oldest felt though is a 50yr old Stetson. Been cleaned and blocked once after about 30 yrs. Had to retire it finally started cracking too much between the sun, rain and snow and it can snow somewhere in Montana any moth of the year. I was in snow on the 4th of July one year and the flakes were as big as silver dollars (remember those?).

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

@@dennishein2812 Wow! That's a keeper just for its longevity. Great info, thanks.

[@dennismitchell5414]

River Junction Trade Company has a good selection of straw hats to choose from .

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Excellent, and their link is in my description field

[@Davofromdownunder65]

We had them in Australia in the same era, they were known as cabbage tree hats. The reason for the name is because the hats were made from the Livistona australis, also known as the cabbage tree palm. It is known as the first distinctively Australian headwear in use. Seeking protection from the sun, early European settlers started to make hats using fibre from the native palm, which soon became popular throughout the colonies. The process involved boiling, then drying, and finally bleaching the leaves. The Powerhouse Museum describes a cabbage-tree hat thus: "Finely woven natural straw coloured hat; high tapering domed crown, wide flat brim; applied layered hat band of coarser plaiting with zig-zag border edges." (sorry Santee I pinched this from Wikipedia) 😁

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Yeah, the process is crazy and I originally thought it was very simple.

[@brianfow4666]

Just watched your interview with Tuco. Missed the LIVE on Thursday. Very informative. Got to learn much about you

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@singleshot2218]

Hey Santee! Great article! Take care and stay safe! God bless!✝️🙏🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

🥃🥃

[@57WillysCJ]

I liked my in Arizona, because I could dip it in water and make a swamp cooler for the head. Doesn't work as well in the humid areas of the Mid West. The wind here isn't to good for the really wide brims either.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Interesting, and glad you used them!

[@darinweiszbrod3823]

Some really good looking Hats ...

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Thank You!

[@tulemike6627]

good timing.i just bought me a straw hat,gus style. great for the triple digit heat here in good'ol AZ.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Thank You!

[@patron8597]

Not directly related to the video but it just came to my mind. Were there any natives that had any sort of hat or other practical headwear tradition since before settlers arrived? I think I only ever saw them depicted bareheaded, with some ornamental headwear or European style hats later.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Yes, they put on hats. There are some photos showing it.

[@CarryonJeffnJohn]

Thanks for dropping by santee n thanks for being such a loyal friend I really appreciate it some interesting hats thumbs up as always 👍

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Thank you too

[@victorwaddell6530]

Thank s again Santee Co. I was stationed in Japan for two years as a Navy MP . In Japan conical rice hats are tradition and are basically the same as the hats worn by Vietnamese farmers . The Japanese work for hat is Kasa . Japanese soldiers once wore conical iron helmets called Jingasa meaning Metal Hat .

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Cool!

[@Remoniq]

I own one and it really is great in warm weather.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

yes

[@davidmorris6539]

Giday Santee. Thank you for all your hard work bring as another great video. I do enjoy your videos here every Saturday night. About 10. 00 pm Victoria Australia time ❤😅

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Thank You!

[@margeoconnor166]

Congrats on passing the 100,000 subs mark! I tip my hat in recognition of the milestone!!!👒🤠🧢🎩

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Thank You!

[@ZeRowe]

I have a few different straw hats but rarely get to wear them in Kansas lol… if the wind would stop blowing we’d all fall over 😜😎 Dirty Dan cameo is always my favorite 😂

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Thank You!

[@tangopodadventures9852]

I wear my incorrectly named Panama or my western style straw to keep from "cookin' my cabeza" also. Great video as always.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Right on

[@ronauldcameron3623]

The Redford Newman Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid makes mention of The leader of the posse chasing them wearing a white skimmer Joe Lefors famous for bringing evidence against Tom Horn . I always remembered the mention of him in the movie . Assuming the skimmer and boater hat were of straw I thought it of interest. I have however, never seen a picture of Lefors in reality wearing one . Enjoyed this video.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Thank You!

[@nstooge]

Thank you for your videos. I view them as a mini educational video…

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Glad to hear that!

[@justinsane7128]

Love a palm leaf 🌿

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Me too!!

[@jeffreygardner2591]

Another good video, Santee. I'm still wearing a Sunbody I bought at Sheplers in Wichita in the early1990's when the kids and I volunteered at Cowtown, so we know they can last if you take care of them.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Thank You!

[@kirkmorrison6131]

I love my boater hat, didn't know i could wear them in SASS events

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Sure can

[@readplanet23]

Thank You again for another educational and informative video about OUR Old West history. I especially appreciate the Spanish language lesson. Have A Great & Happy Trail! 🛻🚤🏖️

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jamesmordovancey517]

Some years ago I visited Montecristi in Ecuador, reputed as the birthplace of Panama hats. Amazingly the toquilla palm was hand woven so tightly on the finer ones that, turned upside down, they held water! I bought three of different styles and have them to this day.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Thanks for sharing!

[@michaelpage4199]

Great review. Loved the way you weaved that one together. You really had it covered.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Thanks. Puts a top on the subject

[@prowlus]

Straw hats are great for certain pirate captains too

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Yes!

[@ClipsFromMaine]

Have you done a video on bullhide hats? I live in the north, so it’s felt in the winter, but leather in the summer. And even on the border of Canada my bullhide hat can get HOT. I’m curious how popular they would have been… the material was readily available 🤷‍♂️

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Not yet.

[@ximthedespot4673]

I got a straw hat as my summer work hat. It works wonder on warding off sunburns, especially on the ears.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

🥃🥃

[@jacktribble5253]

For the sheer number of straw hats I've seen, I really hadn't thought that much about them. Very interesting. Best of Days to You and all the Ghostriders.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Thank You!

[@Elem156]

A well lesson. Mr. Santee. Despite it made from straw. But it shown its fanciness in the old west.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Thank You!

[@hankfrankly7240]

Really enjoyed this one. I have 4 straw hats but never knew anything about them. Thanks Santee

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

You got it.

[@jasonattenborough4026]

Another excellent video, Santee! My ancestor got a straw hats from the nice town men while working as a labour around cattle and horses, according to my ancestor, they just came up plonked a straw hat on his head, he described the men there where very nice to him.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

That is awesome!

[@joelhurley2678]

Great episode Santee thanks again for sharing.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

My pleasure!

[@marcthomas2482]

Great video Santee! My hat's off to you!

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Thank You!

[@AceOfThorns1]

Could you do a video on how they dealt with the heat in the old west? I live in Tulsa and a storm knocked power out all over town the other day and I’m starting to wonder how the old west settlers ever managed to survive the heat lol

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Check out my video "Frontier Hot" It's an earlier one, but great info.

[@AceOfThorns1]

@@ArizonaGhostriders thank you!

[@JimBailey]

Thank you so much Santee. Great information. :)

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Thank You!

[@rhondaz356]

I didn't realize that about the straw hats. I always associated cowboys with felt ones. This was so cool, informative and interesting, as always, Santee. 🤠🌞👏👒🤠

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@tylorfox783]

Hey Santee, could we see one on hearing protection/hearing loss in the old west? As partial deaf myself that would be an interesting one!

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Sure!

[@PhantomObserver]

Great video, Santee! Trying to remember if you did one about how Old Westians dealt with clothing choices with the onset of warmer weather. (I know you did one on how they dealt with winter.)

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

I think I have one on "Frontier Hot"

[@solomonkain]

Funny you did a video on this - my old western straw hat got a lot of use on my last holiday, and I need a replacement! Interesting to learn some history on it! Thanks!!

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

You're welcome.

[@KidYuma1880]

Thanks pard Santee, I know ladies of town like Miss Odesa red wore straw hats in 1880’s, hard to tell men except for Chinese rail workers wore straw or Mexicans sombreros. As old west cowboys hard tell pics if straw used until early 1900’s.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Oh yeah, men wore them. We have photo evidence. Cowboys....well, a few.

[@KidYuma1880]

@@ArizonaGhostriders again learn from Santee the educator. I know a lot but always can learn and apply from you. I look forward every Saturday for video.

[@Style-ov5qb]

Right now my felt count is 8, straw is 5 - but thinking I need another Sun Body in my collection.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Yes!

[@AdaM48state]

Good episode Santee,hats off to ya!!!

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Thank You!

[@Brombear]

A really great episode! For the longest time I thought that the felt hats were the primary material in the old west (in part to the fur trade and such), but I never really thought about the authenticity of them. When you brought up the "boaters", I remembered that straw hats were part of the uniform for the US Navy enlisted up to the end of WW1. Also, I went and looked up on a sutler's site (blockade runner) and they have old photographs and their repros (not getting anything out of this, but some of the examples are quite interesting). Thanks again Santee!

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Glad you did your own research!

[@AlphaTraveler1]

I actually didnt know this was a thing in the good old days Santee. HAHAHA. 👍👍👍

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Thank You! 🥃🥃

[@thejaggededge1624]

Hay, that was a cool episode Santee. I recently purchased a straw hat and love it. Light and breathable while working outside. All the best.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Thank You!

[@mpetersen6]

Some straw hats made in Equador go for big money. The Monte Christo's can sell for upwards of $2500. Take months to make.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Wow!

[@ralphperez4862]

I have a huge straw hat that I use for target shooting or shooting rock chucks. It's so big that it's comical.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

But protective!

[@jacktheobalt8362]

That's a great-looking hat.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Thank You!

[@mattbatey2597]

Hey Santee how about a video on dressing the part of the gunslinger

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

I did that with "Outlaw" which covers most of that. However, I'll do more.

[@englishcowboy9155]

saw your chat with Tuco Theratt yesterday Santee, very good listen, liked the Buffalo touch too.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Thanks for coming!

[@woodsmokegary5150]

Whata wonderful pet does he like Tabasco? Allso the ghost bandit looks very familiar, where have i seen em😮

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

He plays a doctor on TV.🤠

[@woodsmokegary5150]

Must be doc who,realy enjoy your website the information the characters and the light banter .high ol silver away

[@krystalmillerd4680]

What if you were to wear It in the winter... the straw hats but with some sort of thermal lining under neath.. on your head ...

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Certainly. Any head covering is going to provide warmth

[@TimKoehn44]

Excellent episode Santee. I wear mine occasionally at Civil War events. Have a great weekend!

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Cool!

[@Dsdcain]

Interesting and quick video today. Loved the amounts for the prizes at the fair for the different items. Be safe out there, and take it easy man.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Thank You!

[@wadejustanamerican1201]

As always thanks for another video. I'm convinced after all these years, you are always an early riser and work 7 days a week. 😂

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

True

[@jaysonspann8042]

Thanks for making these videos Santee. Anytime something hard is going on in my life I can put on this channel and feel good. Thank you so much it really helps!

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

I'm glad to hear it.

[@cheycasters]

I LOVED City Slickers 1&2!!!

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Great movies

[@cheycasters]

Now that I thinz abouts it.....Your like they are with the cool daddy quirks n humor.....we need that in factum....more pleas!!!! @@ArizonaGhostriders 🎸🎸 NW Montana USA

[@pietromosconi6398]

Nice video! Really love it! An Italian hat user and collector!

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Nice

[@alswann2702]

Thanks, Santee. I knew they were popular in the South and tropics and wondered about the West. Any thoughts on why cowboys stuck with felt? I'm guessing dual use for cold and hot weather but that guess won't get ya a cup of Joe without some folding money.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

felt is heavier and does better in harsh conditions.

[@krystalmillerd4680]

I have a life guard style straw hat... witch to me seems like the modern variation of a straw cowboy hat ...and I got one in a fedora shape too ...

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Cool!

[@stevensheats30]

Straw hats nice video Santee of the Arizona ghostriders

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Thank You!

[@lessage760]

Great vidio sir showed some very nice hats

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

You bet

[@joemortimer1763]

Great episode! Run into this all the time. I would also say that some Hollywood-isms contribute to some reenactor-isms. When in doubt, research it out.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Yup yup!

[@brucelovenite]

awesome job again love it

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Thank You!

[@johnhuffman3415]

I kinda want a Arizona Ghostriders shovel

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

🥃🥃🥃

[@mcwatersd]

I knew they were used by farmers but did not realize how wide spread their use was. Great piece of history there. Keep Safe❤Keep Well ❤

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Thank You!

[@seymourwrasse3321]

this subject was over my head

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Brimming with ideas for another though

[@seymourwrasse3321]

@@ArizonaGhostriders Touché, my friend, I have met my match

[@kevincollier4147]

And a tip of the hat to you Sir!

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Thank You!