Westside Cowboys

Saving Lives on the West Side Line

The “West Side Cowboys” in New York City, one of the most fun secrets of the High Line, were city-appointed safety officers on horseback that once prevented pedestrian accidents along 10th Avenue, a thoroughfare nicknamed Death Avenue due to the large number of accidents between freight trains and pedestrians. The original High Line, opened in 1934, was an elevated freight viaduct for the New York Central railroad, built in response to the accidents.

George Hayde, 21, pictured on his horse Cyclone, led the final ride of the West Side cowboys up 10th Avenue on March 24, 1941 at 10:50am.

Freight trains were essential in the 19th and early 20th century for transporting goods from one place to another. In New York City almost everything that was delivered to the city came in by train, making the West Side cowboys an important part of the transportation and delivery process.

Though many people think that railroads replaced horses, railroad companies had more horses than most companies, according to New York City carriage driver Christina Hansen. Besides the cowboy horses who protected the streets, rail yards used horses to move train cars on the tracks so they could be attached to the proper trains.