Plano in Collin County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Trail Boss
Photographed By James Hulse, December 12, 2022
1. Trail Boss Marker
Most days were uneventful. Drudgery was occasionally interrupted by violent weather, stampedes, dangerous river crossings, and, rarely, hostile indians. The cowboy's laborous way of life tended to develop rough-and-ready virtues, as well as extraordinary skill in horsemanship and marksmanship. The cowboys chose their attire and equipment to suit their particular tasks and environment. The ten-gallon, or broad-brimmed hat shields his head from sun and rain, a kerchief pulled over the lower part of his face protects it from dust, tight pants faced with leather chaps protect his legs from insects and brush, and boots with high heels to prevent his feet from slipping out of the stirrups. Traditionally he carries a revolver and a lariat, or lasso, made fast to the saddle horn for roping cattle.
Here, the Trail Boss sits atop his horse high above the bluff observing and waiting as his skilled cowboys drive the Texas Longhorn down the Shawwee Trail through Collin County.
Erected 2006 by Baccus Plaza.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals
this page online
Location. 33° 4.901′ N, 96° 49.263′ W. Marker is in Plano, Texas, in Collin County. Marker is at the intersection of Bozeman Drive and Ruthie Road, on the left when traveling west on Bozeman Drive. The marker is located in the northeast corner of Baccus Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5780 Ruthie Road, Plano TX 75024, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Robert Summers (a few steps from this marker); Baccus Plaza (a few steps from this marker); Texas Longhorn (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Texas Longhorn (approx. 0.2 miles away); Vaquero (approx. 0.2 miles away); Baccus Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Baccus Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Texas Longhorn (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Plano.
Also see . . . Cattle Trailing. Texas State Historical Association
Cattle trailing was the principal method of getting cattle to market in the late nineteenth century. It provided Texans with a practical, economical means of marketing surplus livestock. It also achieved mythological stature as an aspect of(Submitted on January 19, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)the American frontier. Although their heyday was from 1866 to 1890, organized livestock drives to market in the United States date to the seventeenth century, especially in the Carolinas, Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania. Easterners, however, often afoot and aided by shepherd dogs, herded relatively tame animals, whereas Texas drives during the nineteenth century usually featured mounted riders tending decidedly wilder beasts, at first mostly longhorn cattle and usually mavericks.Photographed By James Hulse, December 12, 20222. The Trail Boss Statue and Marker
Photographed By James Hulse, December 12, 2022
3. Closeup of the Trail Boss Statue
Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 18, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 68 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 19, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
