Near Madrid in Perkins County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Texas Trail
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 21, 2014
1. The Texas Trail Marker
Inscription.
The Texas Trail. . After the Civil War, herds of Texas cattle were driven north to marketing points in eastern Nebraska, but settlement by homesteaders forced the trail farther west each year. Beginning in 1875, Union Pacific selected Ogallala as its main shipping point. During the following decade, thousands of longhorn cattle were trailed through Perkins County, in this vicinity.
Beginning in Texas the trail turned northward through the Indian Territory into western Kansas. From Dodge City on the Arkansas River, the trail continued to Buffalo Station, Kansas, entering Nebraska in Hitchcock County. The hardest day’s drive for the trail-weary men and cattle was the 30 miles from the head of Stinking Water Creek in southeast Perkins County to Ogallala on the South Platte; it was the longest and driest drive of the trip.
In 1876 over 60,000 Texas cattle were driven over the trail, and between 1879 and 1884 over 100,000 cattle made the trip each year, with the last great drive occurring in 1884. Due to settlement in the counties to the south, as well as in Perkins County, the last drives were made through the western part of the county.
After the Civil War, herds of Texas cattle were driven north to marketing points in eastern Nebraska, but settlement by homesteaders forced the trail farther west each year. Beginning in 1875, Union Pacific selected Ogallala as its main shipping point. During the following decade, thousands of longhorn cattle were trailed through Perkins County, in this vicinity.
Beginning in Texas the trail turned northward through the Indian Territory into western Kansas. From Dodge City on the Arkansas River, the trail continued to Buffalo Station, Kansas, entering Nebraska in Hitchcock County. The hardest day’s drive for the trail-weary men and cattle was the 30 miles from the head of Stinking Water Creek in southeast Perkins County to Ogallala on the South Platte; it was the longest and driest drive of the trip.
In 1876 over 60,000 Texas cattle were driven over the trail, and between 1879 and 1884 over 100,000 cattle made the trip each year, with the last great drive occurring in 1884. Due to settlement in the counties to the south, as well as in Perkins County, the last drives were made through the western part of the county.
Erected by Perkins County Historical Society & Nebraska State Historical Society. (Marker Number 128.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these
Location. 40° 51.005′ N, 101° 32.22′ W. Marker is near Madrid, Nebraska, in Perkins County. Marker is on Whittier Street (State Highway 23) near Stevens Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Madrid NE 69150, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 1 other marker is within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Wild Horse Spring (approx. 10.7 miles away).
More about this marker. This marker is east to Madrid on Highway 23.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 21, 2014
2. The Texas Trail Marker
Photographed By Unknown, circa 1902
3. A cowboy
Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 4, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 431 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on December 4, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
