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
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.
describe the role of the cattle trails in the late 19th century
Many cattle drives ended in Kansas due to its strategic location along the railroads, particularly the Kansas Pacific Railway, which facilitated the transportation of cattle to markets in the East. Additionally, Kansas offered open grazing lands and was part of the cattle trails like the Chisholm Trail, making it an ideal destination for herders. The demand for beef during the post-Civil War era further incentivized drives to this region, as it became a key hub for cattle shipping.
Cattle drives significantly impacted Texas by transforming its economy and society in the late 19th century. They facilitated the growth of the cattle ranching industry, making Texas a major supplier of beef to the eastern United States. This economic boom attracted settlers and entrepreneurs, leading to the development of towns along cattle trails, such as Abilene and Dodge City. Additionally, cattle drives contributed to the cultural identity of Texas, fostering a unique cowboy culture that remains influential today.