Amidon in Slope County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Great Western Trail

Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch, August 12, 2025

1. Great Western Trail Marker

Inscription.
Between 1874 and 1893, millions of head of cattle and horses went up the Great Western Trail from Texas through nine U.S. states into Canada. This famous trail lasted more years, carried more cattle, and was longer than any other cattle trail in the United States. The trail had a significant impact on the economy of the western United States, assisting in the establishment of the ranching and livestock industry.

Longhorns were gathered around Matamoras, Mexico and south Texas, and were then driven north through Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, and on to Canada. These vast herds established the famous Great Western Trail, on which you stand today.

The first trail herd to reach North Dakota left Texas in 1884. A daring band of cowboys piloted a monster herd from the Rio Grande to the Little Missouri River. Until the decline of the trail's use in the 1890s, millions of cattle and horses continued up the trail where they thrived on rich prairie grasses of the endless Plains.

Along with cattle came cowboys out of Texas and elsewhere who established ranches and helped

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grown North Dakota's western heritage which is still struong and prosperous. From these romantic wild days comes much of our rich western history that still thrives and is celebrated.

Rotary clubs, the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, local groups and people interested in preserving North Dakota's heritage and history banded together to mark this important trail for future generations.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 46° 28.934′ N, 103° 19.32′ W. Marker is in Amidon, North Dakota, in Slope County. It is on US 85, on the left when traveling west. On the grounds of the Slope County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 206 Main Street, Amidon ND 58620, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on North Dakota’s Missouri Plateau.

It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the

Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch, August 12, 2025

2. Great Western Trail Marker

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 one other marker is within walking distance of this marker: Slope County War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker).

Slope County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch, August 12, 2025

3. Slope County Courthouse

Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2025, by Susan Van Den Bosch of Almond, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 86 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 20, 2025, by Susan Van Den Bosch of Almond, Wisconsin. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.