Near Deer Lodge in Powell County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Vaquero vs. Cowboy

Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site

— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —

Vaquero vs. Cowboy Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 7, 2022

1. Vaquero vs. Cowboy Marker

Captions: (left) Texas vaquero, 1880s to 1890s, Mesteño, Concha, La reata, Chaparajos; (right) Montana cowboy, 1880s to 1890s, Mustang, Concho, Lariat, Chaps

Inscription.
North American cowboys can trace their roots back to the Spanish conquistadors, who brought cattle and horses to the New World. Mexican cowboys, known as vaqueros, developed methods on horsemanship and working cattle in the rugged terrain that is now part of the United States.

When new cowboys arrived in the arid West, they learned the skills needed on the vast open range from the vaqueros.

Over time, the look and language of American cowboys took a separate path. Cowboy culture even varied from state to state, Yet traces of the vaqueros can still be seen and heard in American cowboys.

Can you spot what is similar and what is different in these two illustrations?

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals • Hispanic Americans • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 46° 24.507′ N, 112° 44.28′ W. Marker is near Deer Lodge, Montana, in Powell County. It can be reached from North Main Street (Business Interstate 90) near Warren Lane, on

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the left when traveling north. The Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site parking lot is on the left side of North Main Street, just north of Deer Lodge. From there, one must walk to the ranch buildings. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 266 Warren Lane, Deer Lodge MT 59722, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically outhwest Montana, in Gold West Country, in Mining Country. It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: From Range to Market (here, next to this marker); Ranching Traditions - A New Generation (within shouting distance of this marker); Two Immigrants Shared an American Dream (within shouting distance of this marker); Equal in the Saddle (within shouting distance of this marker); Winter of 1886 (about 300

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 7, 2022

2. Vaquero vs. Cowboy Marker

feet away, measured in a direct line); The Long and Short of Cattle Breeds (about 400 feet away); Beaverslide Haystacker (about 400 feet away); Home on the Range (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Deer Lodge.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,445 times since then and 154 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 10, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.