Did these westerns start in the 1950s or not?

Many lasted into the '60s and '70s, but when did they start?

When you think of classic TV westerns, what decade comes to mind? Ranchers, cattle rustlers, outlaws and gunslingers were a staple of nightly television lineups well into the 1960s and even 1970s.

But there’s no denying the amount of cowboy shows that were on the air in the 1950s. The networks were spurred on by the big ratings. You could say it was their hay-day. Alright, enough horsing around!

Here are 15 classic westerns. Try to guess whether each one started in the 1950s or not.

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  1. When did 'Gunsmoke' start its 20-year run?
  2. When did 'The Wild Wild West' premiere?
  3. Did 'The Rifleman' start in the 1950s or not?
  4. 'Wagon Train' had both black-and-white and color episodes. When did it start?
  5. When did 'Have Gun – Will Travel' first air?
  6. Did 'Daniel Boone' start in the 1950s or not?
  7. When did 'Bat Masterson' start?
  8. When did 'The High Chaparral' first go on the air?
  9. 'Wanted Dead or Alive' ran for three seasons starting when?
  10. When did 'The Big Valley' premiere?
  11. 'Rawhide' starring Clint Eastwood started when?
  12. When did western comedy 'F Troop' premiere?
  13. 'Bonanza' ended in 1973 but when did it begin?
  14. 'The Virginian' ran for nine seasons starting when?
  15. 'The Lone Ranger' was one of the first westerns on television. Did it start in the 1950s?

Did these westerns start in the 1950s or not?

Your Result...

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52 Comments

Geronimo 4 months ago
Did these westerns start in the 1950s or not?
You got 13 out of 15
You went by the book on this quiz. Great job!
Questions #11 and #15 stumped me. Wow!
HpHoward 4 months ago
14/15. Strange, since I don't like westerns all that much. But there wasn't a huge choice of programs or networks when I was growing up.
booster 42 months ago
14/15 I didn't realize the Lone Ranger started in 1949.
Cowgirl 43 months ago
You got 15 out of 15
You went by the book on this quiz. Great job!
It was a pretty easy quiz. I've watched all of those shows.
TheDavBow3 43 months ago
12/15. I'll take it. Missed "Wanted ....", Rawhide and "The Lone Ranger"
Pacificsun 43 months ago
#15 was a clever question, fair, but tricky. Otherwise did real well. Maybe because in our family watched every single Western ever made unless it was in conflict with another one airing at the same time! Then we caught up with it in reruns.
Muleskinner 43 months ago
13/15. I can’t believe I missed Rawhide and The Rifleman. Good quiz.
DeborahRoberts 43 months ago
OH! Sneaky, sneaky on "The Lone Ranger"! 14/15
chucksplace DeborahRoberts 43 months ago
i agree, they got me on that one as well.
Runeshaper 43 months ago
You got 12 out of 15
You went by the book on this quiz. Great job!

Lots of great shows here! :)
dujon55 43 months ago
14 out of 15 missed the Lone Ranger. A little before my time but I enjoyed repeats
MrsPhilHarris 43 months ago
12/15 I had no idea The Lone Ranger debuted in the 40s.
EllisClevenger 43 months ago
You got 13 out of 15
You went by the book on this quiz. Great job!
Missed #13 and #15.
HoosierKid 43 months ago
12 outta 15. They forgot to mention two of my favorites--Laramie and Maverick! Both of which started in the fifties.
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