USA On the Cowboy Trail in Texas

Texas is celebrating its rich cowboy history in 2017 with the 150th anniversary of the Chisholm Trail. The trail was used to relocate cattle from south Texas through Oklahoma to Abilene, Kansas, and played a major part in establishing the United States. Cowboys are believed to have transported more than five million cattle and one million horses via the trail between 1867 and 1885 the greatest livestock migration in history.

Named after Jesse Chisholm, the Chisholm Trail was a three-to-four month journey through rivers, canyons, and prairies. At one of the most treacherous yet necessary crossing points on the Brazos River, a suspension bridge was built to enable safe passage for the cowboys and their cattle. That bridge, designed by the same company that built the Brooklyn Bridge, can still be seen and crossed in Waco.

Visitors can revisit the Chisholm Trail and sample the life of a Texan cowboy by visiting towns and museums that dot its way. Notable stops for visitors include The Witte Museum and Buckhorn Saloon and Museum in San Antanio, Chisholm Trail Crossing Park at Round Rock, and Fort Worth Herd, a twice-daily cattle drive in the town. The Texas Historical Commissions Chisholm Trail Guide lists 37 popular tourist attractions highlighting the trail.

The Chisholm Trail Roundup Rodeo and Music Festival is the city of Lockhart's largest annual festival and tourism event, occurring in the first two weeks of June. Besides, there will a number of anniversary events scheduled in 2017.

In the spring of 2018, The Texas Longhorn Cattle Drive will take place, to honour the drovers who faced the challenge of the long drive. For 10 weeks, drovers will drive 150 head of Longhorn Cattle over 500 miles across Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas to Abilene, Kansas for Memorial Day Weekend 2018. Check outtraveltexas.com