Odessa in Ector County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Old Buffalo Wallow
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, July 12, 2015
1. Old Buffalo Wallow Marker
Inscription.
Old Buffalo Wallow. . The nearby depression survives from an epoch when great buffalo herds migrated through west Texas, many moving between present Canada and Mexico over two major trails in the Odessa area. Wallows began with individual buffalo rolling in the dirt to rid themselves of pests or shed their heavy winter coats in springtime. Repeated wallowing in the same spot by countless buffalo created an efficient depression to accomplish the cleaning ritual. Most wallows were eight to 12 feet across and two feet deep., Buffalo existed in the millions in North America, ranging throughout the western and central plains of Texas. They were pursued seasonally by the plains Indians, who subsisted on the food and clothing the buffalo provided. In the late 19th century, railroads bisected their trails, isolating the herds and providing transportation of meat and hides to distant markets. In Texas vast buffalo slaughters were encouraged in the 1870s by the army, who wanted to deprive Indians of their commissary; settlers, who had crops trampled and forage consumed by the passing herds; and hunters, who realized quick profit particularly from hides., The buffalo had all but disappeared from this area when Odessa was founded in 1886.
The nearby depression survives from an epoch when great buffalo herds migrated through west Texas, many moving between present Canada and Mexico over two major trails in the Odessa area. Wallows began with individual buffalo rolling in the dirt to rid themselves of pests or shed their heavy winter coats in springtime. Repeated wallowing in the same spot by countless buffalo created an efficient depression to accomplish the cleaning ritual. Most wallows were eight to 12 feet across and two feet deep.
Buffalo existed in the millions in North America, ranging throughout the western and central plains of Texas. They were pursued seasonally by the plains Indians, who subsisted on the food and clothing the buffalo provided. In the late 19th century, railroads bisected their trails, isolating the herds and providing transportation of meat and hides to distant markets. In Texas vast buffalo slaughters were encouraged in the 1870s by the army, who wanted to deprive Indians of their commissary; settlers, who had crops trampled and forage consumed by the passing herds; and hunters, who realized quick profit particularly from hides.
The buffalo had all but disappeared from this area when Odessa was founded in 1886.
Erected 1964 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3697.)
Click or scan to see this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Animals. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.
Location. 31° 53.514′ N, 102° 20.146′ W. Marker is in Odessa, Texas, in Ector County. Marker can be reached from State Highway 191. Marker is behind the building at 4800 E. 42nd St. at Central Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4800 East 42nd Street, Odessa TX 79762, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Replacement Marker funded by the Heritage of Odessa Foundation, 1986.
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, July 12, 2015
3. Old Buffalo Wallow Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 854 times since then and 111 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on August 7, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.