After the Civil War Texas ranchers drove cattle in herds to Kansas because that is where the big stockyards were at the time. It was also a place for the Texas ranchers to use the railroad for shipping cattle elsewhere.
They were breeded by ranchers in the cattle drive period in 1800's. Spanish and Texan cattles were breeded together to form Longhorns. Citations: TX History Textbook Holt
The longhorn cattle drive from Texas to Colorado was famously led by cattleman Charles Goodnight in the late 1800s. He was instrumental in establishing cattle trails and routes that facilitated the movement of cattle to markets in the north. Goodnight's efforts helped shape the cattle industry and contributed to the growth of ranching in the American West.
So they could sell it to the city folk
So they could sell it to the city folk
Cattle Drive.
The organized effort by Texas cattlemen was known as the Long Drive. It involved herding thousands of longhorn cattle from Texas to railheads, which were locations where the cattle could be loaded onto trains for transportation to the eastern markets. The Long Drive played a crucial role in the development of the cattle industry in Texas and helped meet the high demand for beef in the east.
Ranchers hired cowboys to gather and drive the cattle east. The expansion of the railroads shortened the cattle drive, enabling the cowboys to simply drive the cattle to the nearest rail stockyard.
Yes, the Shawnee Trail was one of the routes used by ranchers to drive cattle from Texas to Kansas during the late 19th century. It extended from Texas through Indian Territory (now Oklahoma) and into Kansas, facilitating the transport of cattle to northern markets. This trail was significant for the cattle industry, particularly before the more famous Chisholm Trail gained prominence.
Texas ranchers grouped their cattle into herds and marched them across the countryside to get to the railroad to be shipped east or west. This was called a cattle drive and needed about 4 or more people on horseback to control where the cattle went.
The herding of cattle from Texas to railroad centers to the north was called a cattle drive. Cattle drives took many months to complete. Some of the cowboys would drive the cattle to Kansas and not want to go back to the ranch after being paid. Then ranchers would have to hire more hands the next cattle drive season.
A cattle drive.