Lorin Morgan-Richards Presents Biographies of the West

Season 9

Lorin Morgan-Richards Presents Biographies of the West - short documentaries about the people of the Old West, from early pioneers to cowboys at the turn of the 20th century. Included are biographies on Native American leaders, artists, outlaws, lawman, and Western singing-cowboys, and much more. Each episode is written and produced by host Lorin Morgan-Richards, Western author and illustrator, who colorizes historical photos, bringing the stories to life.

Where to Watch Lorin Morgan-Richards Presents Biographies of the West • Season 9

5 Episodes

The Los Cerrillos Story
E1
The Los Cerrillos StoryThe Los Cerrillos Story explores the history of the famed mining town along the Turquoise Trail, tracing its development from early mineral interest and tent dwelling prospectors to a thriving community. With the arrival of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, the town boomed, supporting hotels, saloons, and a schoolhouse. Lawman Zed Crutchfield patrolled its once rowdy streets before ultimately fleeing after a disastrous gunfight. Through site visits, colorized historic photographs, and historical documents, the story of Los Cerrillos is vividly brought to life.
The Fort Tejon and Peter Lebeck Story
E2
The Fort Tejon and Peter Lebeck StoryThe Fort Tejon and Peter Lebeck story centers on a French-Canadian trapper who entered California folklore after his death in a bear attack on October 17, 1837, in the Tehachapi Mountains of Southern California. His companions buried him beneath a towering valley oak and carved his epitaph into the tree, an inscription later recorded by passing travelers and explorers. In 1854, the U.S. Army established Fort Tejon nearby as a strategic outpost to control passage through the Grapevine Pass and maintain regional stability. Lorin Morgan-Richards brings this history to life through on-site exploration, colorized historic photographs, and carefully curated period documents.
The Elfego Baca Story
E3
The Elfego Baca StoryBiographies of the West looks at the life of Elfego Baca, New Mexico frontier lawman, lawyer, and folk hero, best known for a legendary 1884 gunfight in which he solely held off dozens of armed cowboys for more than a day. Baca became a symbol of resistance to lawlessness and violence against Hispanics in the Old West. Host Lorin Morgan Richards uses colorization, historical documentation and site visits to reveal Baca's career as a deputy marshal, attorney, and politician.
The George Monroe Story
E4
The George Monroe StoryDrawing on historical documents and colorized photographs, host Lorin Morgan Richards brings George Monroe's extraordinary story vividly to life. Monroe, an African American stagecoach driver, began his work with the Pony Express before becoming a tour guide at a Yosemite resort, eventually expanding his routes and earning a legendary reputation among passengers that included Presidents Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, and James A. Garfield, as well as the renowned Lillie Langtry. His life was tragically cut short after he saved passengers during an overturned stagecoach accident.
The Hotel El Rancho Story
E5
The Hotel El Rancho StoryThe El Rancho Hotel Story focuses on the El Rancho Hotel in Gallup, New Mexico, a famous Route 66 landmark that opened in the late 1930s and became a gathering place for Hollywood stars filming Westerns in the Southwest. The hotel was built by R.E. "Griff" Griffith, brother of film director D.W. Griffith, and served as a base for movie productions in the region. Many actors and film crews stayed there while making Western films. As with other entries in the Biographies of the West series, Lorin Morgan-Richards presents the history through narration, historical research, and colorized photographs, exploring how the hotel became an important part of Western film history and the culture of Gallup and New Mexico.