The End of the Trail James Earle Fraser (1876-1953) Plaster
(approximately 17' x 14' x 5') National Cowboy & Western
Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City Sculpted by American-born artist
James Earle Fraser, The End of the Trail has endured to become
one of the most recognizable images in the United States. Many
people are familiar with this representation of an American
Indian on horseback, but few actually know the history of the
piece. Originally, it was more than just an image on a postcard,
belt buckle or beaded bracelet. It was a major sculptural work.
And for its creator, it was more than just a sculpture. It was a
meaningful reminder of a childhood spent on the American
frontier. About the Artist James Earle Fraser grew up on the
plains in Mitchell, South Dakota. There he had unique encounters
with pioneers, hunters and fur trappers, and he befriended many
of the Plains Natives. He often heard stories about the “doomed
fate” of the Native people and sympathized with their suffering
as westward expansion thre