The Chisholm Trail

In 1867, a new way for transporting cattle was developed. Established by Jesse Chisholm, the Chisholm Trail was a essential route for cattle to be moved out of Texas from 1867 to 1884. After the Civil War, the Southern states (including Texas) were in debt for as a result of the war. When the Chisholm Trail was established, it was a major source of income that helped Texas recover financially.

The route of the Chisholm Trail went from San Antonio, Texas to Abilene, Kansas. The trail was about 1,000 miles long, or 1,600 kilometers. Everyday, the cowboys and cattle would travel about 10 to 15 miles. At this rate, it took about two to three months to complete the trail. Once they had reached their final destination in Kansas, the cattle would be shipped east for higher prices than they could bring in Texas, since there were no railroads in Texas at the time.

The cattle that were driven across the Chisholm Trail were led by what we today call cowboys, but back then the proper term was “drover.” The drover would lead the cattle across the trail safely. Drovers were typically boys that were between the ages of 16 to 25. Drovers were paid after the cattle were sold, and their wage was between $30 to $40 a month (about $1 per day). On the Chisholm Trail, drovers were essential for the cattle to be properly transported to Kansas.

In 1884, the Chisholm Trail was discontinued. The trail ended because railroads were becoming more popular and being built in more places. Once Texas had railroads, the cattle didn’t have to travel on foot all the way to Kansas anymore. Furthermore, newly invented barbed wire fences were closing the open ranges that once allowed cattle to travel freely over large swathes of land.

While the Chisholm Trail was mainly used for longhorn cattle, the European breeds of cattle that produced more beef were now in high demand. Thus, the number of longhorns decreased and the Chisholm Trail was shut down. Even though the trail is no longer in function, the historical impact it left on the U.S. is still present and especially visible at the Ft. Worth Stockyards.