Odessa in Ector County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Texas Longhorns
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, May 24, 2026
1. Texas Longhorns Marker
Longhorns descended from Criollo cattle brought from Spain in 1493 and English Longhorn brought by settlers in 1830s. Stock crossbred in the wild to produce hardy cattle with horn spans of 4-7 feet. Herds roamed Texas' open range until end of the Civil War when millions were herded north on cattle drives. Goodnight-Loving Trail (1866) crossed Ector, Crane, and Ward Counties headed for Pecos River Horsehead Crossing. Drives ended in 1880s when barbed wire fenced open range land. Longhorns stocked Reed-Curtis ranch (04 brand) near Odessa, later owned by Baldridge Cattle Co. Portions are now operated by S.F. Henderson under (Running M) brand. Near extinction in 1927, herds rebounded in state parks. In 1964 Texas Breeders Assn. was founded to preserve bloodlines.
Donated by S.F. "Sonny" Henderson in memory of cattlemen who led the way.
Erected 2010 by Heritage of Odessa Foundation. (Marker Number 53.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.
Location. 31° 50.863′ N, 102° 22.128′ W. Marker is in Odessa, Texas, in Ector County. It is at the intersection of North Grant Avenue and East 4th Street, on the right when traveling north
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Regionally, this marker is in West Texas. It is also in the American Southwest. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Comancherνa, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: First National Bank of Odessa (within shouting distance of this marker); Ector County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Ector County Land Rush (within shouting distance of this marker); General Matthew D. Ector (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of The Odessa Sanitarium (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Waddell Pecan Tree (about 500 feet away); Site of Livery Stable and Wagon Yard (about 600 feet away); Odessa Land & Townsite Company (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Odessa.
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, May 24, 2026
2. Texas Longhorns Marker and Metal Longhorn Statue
Credits. This page was last revised on June 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 31, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
