Experience what it was like for those rugged and independent men and women of the cattle drive era whose thirst for adventure sparked a time when cattle was king and the cowboy took its place as an American icon. The Trail enters Texas in the North in the Lakes Trail Region and continues south through the Brazos, Independence, and ends in the Tropical Trail.
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Attractions
Nocona
Is home of Red River Station, a famous jumping off point for the Chisholm Cattle Trail. The Red River Station was a main crossing and last place on the trail to buy supplies until Abilene Kansas 350 miles north.
Bowie
Here, the Chisholm Trail Memorial Park pays tribute to the trail-driving era. A statue of a herd of nine Longhorns and two roving cowboys recall those early cattle drives.
Decatur
The eastern fork of the Chisholm Trail passed near Decatur and is commemorated each year at the Chisholm Trail Days each June.
Denton
The Denton County Historical Museum displays artifacts and memorabilia depicting life at the turn of the century. The Courthouse-on-the-Square museum recalls Denton’s history through a variety of exhibits including numerous artifacts form area ranches.
Fort Worth
Branded Texas' premiere "cowtown" this city offers the Stockyards National Register Historic District, which is home to The Livestock Exchange Building and the Stockyards Station.
Cleburne
Learn about how the cattle trail shaped the history of Johnson County at the Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum.
Hillsboro
Cattle herds headed north through the northwest corner of Hill County and pushed on toward Ft. Worth. “The Antique Capital of I35,” was established in 1853 as a principal trade center
Clifton
This city was twice designated as one of the top 100 art communities in the nation. Several residents are members of the prestigious Cowboy Artists of America.
Belton
Explore the county's ranching history at the award-winning Bell County Historical Museum, housed in a restored 1904 Beaux-Arts style building.
Lockhart
Vast herds of cattle moving north on the Chisholm Trail passed through Caldwell County. Now it's known as the "Barbecue Capital of the Texas."
Seguin
Stop in at the historic Moore House, whose original owner provided horses from the 27,000-acre El Capote Ranch for Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough Riders.
Gonzales
At Pioneer Village Living History Center, experience a restored blacksmith shop and broom factory, an 1830s log cabin and an 1870s church.
Yoakum
Visitors to the "Leather Capital of the World," learn about the city's unique history at the Heritage Museum, which features a room commemorating the leather industry from the cattle drive era to the present.
Cuero
In 1866, Crockett Cardwell gathered a herd of nearly 2,000 longhorns and hired trail boss Thornton Chisholm to drive them from Cardwell Flats (north of present-day Cuero) through Oklahoma and Kansas to St. Joseph, Missouri. Cuero offers attractions for visitors, including the DeWitt County Historical Museum, the Cuero Heritage Museum and the Cuero Livestock Show every March.
Refugio
Ranching heritage is featured at the Refugio County Museum, which provides an in-depth look at the history of the area and houses ranching artifacts, as well as Native American memorabilia.
Rockport-Fulton
Rancher George Ware Fulton settled the town named after him. The Fulton Mansion State Historic Site is an outstanding example of the French Second Empire style of architecture.
Corpus Christi
The Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History delights visitors with exhibits on natural history, including a display dedicated to cattle and horses. Visitors can try their hand at riding horses at Mustang Island State Park.
Kingsville
The legendary King Ranch is open for tours and encompasses 825,000 acres across three coastal counties in an area larger than Rhode Island.
Edinburg
Learn more about the rich history of the Rio Grande Valley at the Hidalgo County Historical Museum. Permanent exhibits feature Coahuiltecan Indians, Spanish colonialism and ranching history.
Brownsville
Cattle barons Richard King and Mifflin Kenedy first earned their riches as Rio Grande steamboat captains. Today, enjoy the notable Stillman House and Museum.
Thanks to Richard Francaviglia and the fall 1999 public history students at the University of Texas-Arlington for their contribution to this project.