Why did saloons have these swinging doors? (Is it even accurate they had these?) It looks very impractical as the dust from outside would constantly be blown in by the wind
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No evidence for this, only sharing what I was told as a kid living in a western town. Other than the reasons already stated by some redditors, they were also a courtesy. The half doors helped maintain some visual barrier to the debauchery inside of the saloon from the passers-by (think of like a modesty panel on a desk, but for shielding women from viewing men drinking). They also allowed someone to view when there was a person on the other side of the door going in or out, avoiding a potential collision with another patron or, more likely, a drunkard being thrown out. The bottom half being cut off also allowed for easier cleaning of the floors when people would bring dust and cattle shit in on their boots. They’re incredibly practical!
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