San Marcos in Hays County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
The Cattle Drives
Photographed By Richard Denney, October 5, 2013
1. The Cattle Drives Marker
Inscription.
The Cattle Drives. . Starting in 1866 the broad valley behind this marker was the scene of cattle drives from the south Texas brush country to Kansas railheads, where livestock was then shipped to eastern markets. These old routes where always imprecise because, as one writer observed: “the trails originated wherever a herd was shaped up and ended wherever a market was found.” This San Antonio to Austin segment, which approximates today’s I-35, was a trunk line with many feeders., From March through August, the great herds that wound through Hays County found ample grazing and numerous spring-fed streams (many now dried up.) The cattle forded the San Marcos river near today’s Cheatham Street bridge and were bedded along the east bank, generally between Aquarena Springs Drive and I-35. The herds proceeded to the vicinity of present Buda, then exited the county near Onion Creek., The arrival of the International and Great Northern Railway Company in 1881 substantially ended the trail drives. And not a moment too soon for homemakers who detested the billowing swarms of houseflies they attracted.
Starting in 1866 the broad valley behind this marker was the scene of cattle drives from the south Texas brush country to Kansas railheads, where livestock was then shipped to eastern markets. These old routes where always imprecise because, as one writer observed: “the trails originated wherever a herd was shaped up and ended wherever a market was found.” This San Antonio to Austin segment, which approximates today’s I-35, was a trunk line with many feeders.
From March through August, the great herds that wound through Hays County found ample grazing and numerous spring-fed streams (many now dried up.) The cattle forded the San Marcos river near today’s Cheatham Street bridge and were bedded along the east bank, generally between Aquarena Springs Drive and I-35. The herds proceeded to the vicinity of present Buda, then exited the county near Onion Creek.
The arrival of the International and Great Northern Railway Company in 1881 substantially ended the trail drives. And not a moment too soon for homemakers who detested the billowing swarms of houseflies they attracted.
49.478′ N, 97° 57.059′ W. Marker is in San Marcos, Texas, in Hays County. Marker is at the intersection of South Old Bastrop Road (County Route 266) and East McCarty Lane (County Route 233), on the right when traveling south on South Old Bastrop Road. Marker is located across from San Macros High School on Old Bastrop Road (also known as the Camino Real). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2601 E McCarty Ln, San Marcos TX 78666, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2013, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. This page has been viewed 667 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on October 7, 2013, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
