Near Caldwell in Sumner County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Caldwell and the Chisholm Trail
November 5, 2011
1. Caldwell and the Chisholm Trail Marker
Inscription.
Caldwell and the Chisholm Trail. . A mile southeast of this marker the Chisholm Trail entered Kansas. It took its name from Jesse Chisholm, Indian trader, whose route lay between the North Canadian river and present Wichita. In 1867 it was extended from the Red river to Abilene when the building of the Union Pacific gave Texas cattle an Eastern market. Over this long trail more than a million head were driven before the Santa Fe built south and brought the drives to Newton, 1871, and the next year to Wichita. Incoming setters in Kansas soon fenced off the land and by 1876, drovers had abandoned the trail. In 1880, however, the railroad built to Caldwell, one mile north, and drives were resumed. It is estimated that two million longhorns were driven across the prairie here on a road that in many places was a quarter of a mile wide and as bare as a modern highway.
A mile southeast of this marker the Chisholm Trail entered Kansas. It took its name from Jesse Chisholm, Indian trader, whose route lay between the North Canadian river and present Wichita. In 1867 it was extended from the Red river to Abilene when the building of the Union Pacific gave Texas cattle an Eastern market. Over this long trail more than a million head were driven before the Santa Fe built south and brought the drives to Newton, 1871, and the next year to Wichita. Incoming setters in Kansas soon fenced off the land and by 1876, drovers had abandoned the trail. In 1880, however, the railroad built to Caldwell, one mile north, and drives were resumed. It is estimated that two million longhorns were driven across the prairie here on a road that in many places was a quarter of a mile wide and as bare as a modern highway.
Erected by Kansas Historical Society and the Kansas Department of Transportation. (Marker Number 65.)
is near Caldwell, Kansas, in Sumner County. Marker is on U.S. 81, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Caldwell KS 67022, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2011. This page has been viewed 858 times since then and 33 times this year. Photo1. submitted on November 14, 2011. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
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