Haines in Baker County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
Cattle Drives
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 29, 2017
1. A Cattle Drives Marker
Inscription.
Cattle Drives. . After the close of the Sioux and Piute Indian wars the ranchers of Wyoming and Montana, discouraged in their attempts to fatten the Texas longhorn, turned to Oregon for their cattle. During the spring cattlemen and their cowboys arrived daily from the Rocky Mountain area to purchase herds which had been assembled around Baker from remote parts of the State. The herds were sometimes six months in making the 1,200 mile drive and required an outfit of 40 cowboys with a remuda of several hundred Oregon cow ponies, which were also superior to the eastern breed. It is estimated that as many as 100,000 head of cattle were trailed overland annually during the more favorable years between 1875 and 1884.
After the close of the Sioux and Piute Indian wars the ranchers of Wyoming and Montana, discouraged in their attempts to fatten the Texas longhorn, turned to Oregon for their cattle. During the spring cattlemen and their cowboys arrived daily from the Rocky Mountain area to purchase herds which had been assembled around Baker from remote parts of the State. The herds were sometimes six months in making the 1,200 mile drive and required an outfit of 40 cowboys with a remuda of several hundred Oregon cow ponies, which were also superior to the eastern breed. It is estimated that as many as 100,000 head of cattle were trailed overland annually during the more favorable years between 1875 and 1884.
Erected by Oregon Travel Experience.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Agriculture. In addition, it is included in the Oregon Beaver Boards series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1875.
Location. 44° 54.726′ N, 117° 56.322′ W. Marker is in Haines, Oregon, in Baker County. Marker is on Front Street (La Grande-Baker Highway) near 4, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 810 Front Street, Haines OR 97833, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. "The 1880's Park" in Haines (a few steps
Credits. This page was last revised on February 11, 2018. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 275 times since then and 24 times this year. Last updated on January 30, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. Photos:1, 2. submitted on December 10, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
