Westward Expansion: Chisholm Trail and the Great Western Cattle Trail,
Source: Peeples Elementary 5th Grade Website
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Chisholm Trail and the Great Western Cattle Trail were a business. The cattle of Texas and Oklahoma were not worth very much in Texas, because there were so many cows. However, if cowboys could get their herds to the railroads in Kansas, then they could sell the cattle to people on the east coast who were willing to pay a much higher price for the cattle. It is an example of simple supply and demand. If the supply is high, then the price will be low, but if the supply is low, then the price will be higher.
The cattle trails began after the Civil War as a result of the railroads that were being built across the country. This improved transportation allowing them to make more money.
Fencing actually played a large part in ending the cattle drives. Farmers began using a new kind of fences on their land, barbed wire. As more and more ranches became fenced, it became more and more difficult to herd cattle across the plains. Thus ended the cattle trails.
What is the importance of the Great Western Cattle Trail?
The Great Western Cattle Trail was used during the 19th century for movement of cattle and horses to markets in eastern and northern states. The trail was also known as the Western Trail, Fort Griffin Trail, Dodge City Trail, Northern Trail and Texas Trail. It replaced the Chisholm trail when it closed.
1874-1886: John T. Lytle, founder
The Great Western Cattle Trail - also known as the Dodge City Trail and the Old Texas Trail - was utilized from 1874 for the movement of cattle to markets East. The trail began at Bandera, Texas and ended, most often, in Dodge City, Kansas. The entire trail extended from southern Texas to the Canadian border. Between 10 and 12 million cattle were driven north from Texas into Dodge City. It was the western branch of the Chisholm Trail.
Who started the Chisholm Trail?
Scot-Cherokee trader Jesse Chisholm first marked the famous Chisholm Trail in 1864 for his wagons. It started at the confluence of the Little and Big Arkansas Rivers and went to Jesse Chisholm's trading post, southwest of present day Oklahoma City.
Chisholm Trail History, Jesse Chisholm, 1864, and Joseph McCoy ...