The increase in population along cattle trails led to the development of settlements and ranches, causing conflicts between the cattle drives and local communities. As a result, laws were passed to regulate the movement of cattle and prevent further conflicts, ultimately leading to the decline of cattle drives.
If by trails you mean cattle drives, the purpose was to move large herds of cattle to the nearest railroad stop so the cattle could be shipped to other parts of the country, usually larger cities in the east.
If by trails you mean cattle drives, the purpose was to move large herds of cattle to the nearest railroad stop so the cattle could be shipped to other parts of the country, usually larger cities in the east.
I don't think it was the cattle trails themselves that changed the industry, it was more or less the building of the railroads, more pioneers taking over the land, and barbed wire that changed the cattle industry as a whole.
The cattle trails came to an end primarily due to the expansion of the railroads, which provided a more efficient means of transporting cattle to markets. Additionally, the overgrazing on the trails led to depleted grasslands, and the severe winters of the late 1880s significantly reduced cattle herds. Increased fencing due to the Homestead Act also limited the open range that cattle drives relied upon, ultimately transforming the cattle industry and leading to the decline of the traditional cattle trails.
With the coming of the railroads, cattle drives headed for the nearest railroad towns, and cattle were shipped north by rail, so shortening the cattle drive considerable.
Somewhere around 1860, after the the trails into Missouri were closed and cattle drives were directed into Kansas.
Some famous cattle trails in Texas were:Goodnight-Loving TrailGreat Western TrailChisholm TrailSedalia (Shawnee) Trail
Siegfried G. Demke has written: 'The cattle drives of early California' -- subject(s): Cattle trails, Ranch life
Cattle drives in the United States began in the mid-19th century, particularly during the 1860s. This was primarily driven by the demand for beef in the eastern markets following the Civil War. The famous cattle trails, such as the Chisholm Trail, emerged as routes for herding cattle from Texas to railheads in Kansas and beyond. Cattle drives played a significant role in shaping the cattle industry and the culture of the American West.
Farmers in Missouri were angry about cattle drives because these drives often led to damaged crops and fences, as herds of cattle trampled through their fields. Additionally, the cattle trails frequently passed through private farmland without permission, causing further tensions between ranchers and farmers. The disruption and potential spread of disease from the cattle also heightened farmers' frustrations, as their livelihoods depended on healthy crops and livestock.
Before the arrival of the railway and modern road transport, cattle had to be driven from where they were reared to distant markets to be sold. Cattle drives could take several weeks. Once the railway arrived, the cattle would be driven to the nearest railhead and loaded onto cattle wagons - a much safer and speedier affair. So though the cattle trails were important, the coming of the railroad was even more important.
The primary function of cowtowns was to link cattle trails with railroads, facilitating the transportation of cattle to markets in the East. These towns served as key hubs for cowboys and cattle drives, providing essential services such as food, lodging, and supplies. By connecting the vast open ranges of the West with the burgeoning urban centers, cowtowns played a crucial role in the development of the cattle industry and the economy of the region.