Frisco in Collin County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The Trail Crew

Photographed By James Hulse, December 11, 2022

1. The Trail Crew Marker

Inscription. During the Texas cattle drives of 1867-1890, the typical crew had a trail boss, ten cowboys, a cook, and a horse wrangler. The trail boss, who found good water for the cattle and chose where they would bed down each night, might earn up to $100 per month. The cook prepared all the meals, drove the wagon to the next cow camp, and was the second-highest-paid man in the group. Experienced trail hands hired on for $30 to $40 a month, while for $20 a young boy often herded the extra horses needed by the crew.

Herds averaged 2,500 head of cattle and covered from 6 to 12 miles per day with the trail boss and the chuck wagon in front. Two cowboys rode "on point" by the lead steer, two on swing, two on flank, and the rest of the cowpunchers followed the "drags" in the dust. In 1878 one crew drove 5,500 steers from Texas to Ogallala, Nebraska.

Erected by City of Frisco.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1878.

Location. 33° 6.262′ N, 96° 48.586′ W. Marker is in Frisco, Texas, in Collin County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Mall Road F and Gaylord Parkway, on the left when traveling south. The marker is located at the intersection

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near the shopping center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Frisco TX 75034, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Cow Camp (a few steps from this marker); The Texas Longhorn (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Trail Driving Prior to 1845 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Origins: Cattle Country (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of Lebanon (approx. ¼ mile away); American Bison (approx. ¼ mile away); The Trail Drive Company (approx. 0.3 miles away); Military Survey of Preston Road (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Frisco.

Also see . . . Cowboy.

A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the vaquero traditions of northern Mexico and became a figure of special significance and legend. A subtype, called a wrangler, specifically tends the horses used to work cattle. In addition to ranch work, some cowboys work for or participate in rodeos. Cowgirls, first defined as such in the late 19th century, had a less-well documented historical role, but in the modern world work at identical tasks and have obtained considerable
Photographed By James Hulse, December 11, 2022

2. The Trail Crew Marker
respect for their achievements. Cattle handlers in many other parts of the world, particularly South America and Australia, perform work similar to the cowboy.

(Submitted on January 16, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The Trail Crew at camp image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, December 11, 2022

3. The Trail Crew at camp

Credits. This page was last revised on January 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 16, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 97 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 16, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.