The LEGO Wild West (also known as the Western theme) was a popular, discontinued product line from 1996 to 1997 that depicted the Old West era of the United States. It featured minifigures of cowboys, outlaws, U.S. Cavalry soldiers, and Native Americans.
Theme Overview and Legacy
The theme was one of the first to introduce realistic firearms (revolvers and rifles) and minifigure heads with varied facial expressions, a departure from the standard perpetual smile. It was inspired by classic "Spaghetti Western" films.
The theme was known for its detailed buildings and environments, including a town called "Legoredo Town," an army fort, and a Native American village along a river. Three of the most iconic sets from the original run were re-released in 2002 due to popular demand.
Notable Discontinued Sets
These sets are no longer available for retail purchase but can be found on the secondary market.
Fort Legoredo (Set number: 6762/6769): The flagship set and base of the U.S. Cavalry, featuring six soldier minifigures, a jail, and various play features.
Gold City Junction (Set number: 6765): A detailed set including a bank, a general store, a covered wagon, and six minifigures, including a sheriff and the bandit Black Bart.
Bandits' Secret Hideout (Set number: 6761): The hideout for the outlaws, often featuring a mine or cliffside structure.
Rapid River Village (Set number: 6763/6766): Focused on the Native American (Indians) part of the theme, featuring tipis, a totem pole, and a canoe, along with several Native American minifigures.
Sheriff's Lock-up (Set number: 6755/6764): A smaller set focused on the town's law enforcement and a simple jail.
Modern Connections
While no ongoing "Wild West" theme exists today, the concept has appeared in other forms:
The LEGO Movie themes: The character "President Business" had a Wild West counterpart in the first movie, and a train set featured a western theme.
The Lone Ranger theme (2013): A brief, licensed theme that acted as a thematic replacement for the classic Western sets, including a large train set.
LEGO BrickLink Designer Program: A fan-designed "Wild West Train" and "Wild West General Store" were successfully crowdfunded and produced as limited-edition sets, demonstrating continued fan interest in the theme.