Ogallala in Keith County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
End of the Texas Trail
1875-1885
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, December 9, 2011
1. End of the Texas Trail Marker
Inscription.
End of the Texas Trail. An etching of Ogallala appeared in an 1878 issue of American Agriculturalist magazine, depicting the town as the terminus of Texas cattle drives. It shows cattle being driven up the trail, across the South Platte River, and into Union Pacific cattle pens. Trains then carried the cattle to markets in the East, or ranches in the West. Some herds were also trailed north to provide beef for Indian reservations. The cattle drives had a major impact on Ogallala’s early history and growth. Their legacy is recalled by “Long Horns,” an art deco style mural in the Ogallala post office. The painting, by artist Frank Mechau, was commissioned in 1938 by the U.S. Treasury’s Section of Painting and Sculpture, and funded by the Works Progress Administration. Although the painting depicts a Caucasian cowboy, two of every seven were African-American or Hispanic.
An etching of Ogallala appeared in an 1878 issue of American Agriculturalist magazine, depicting the town as the terminus of Texas cattle drives. It shows cattle being driven up the trail, across the South Platte River, and into Union Pacific cattle pens. Trains then carried the cattle to markets in the East, or ranches in the West. Some herds were also trailed north to provide beef for Indian reservations.
The cattle drives had a major impact on Ogallala’s early history and growth. Their legacy is recalled by “Long Horns,” an art deco style mural in the Ogallala post office. The painting, by artist Frank Mechau, was commissioned in 1938 by the U.S. Treasury’s Section of Painting and Sculpture, and funded by the Works Progress Administration. Although the painting depicts a Caucasian cowboy, two of every seven were African-American or Hispanic.
Erected by Ogallala/Keith County Chamber of Commerce. (Marker Number 3.)
Marker is in Ogallala, Nebraska, in Keith County. Marker is on North Spruce Street near East Third Street. This maker is in front of the Ogallala Post Office. It is marker no. 3 of the Historic Walk of Fame in Ogallala, NE. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 319 North Spruce Street, Ogallala NE 69153, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, December 9, 2011
2. End of the Texas Trail Marker
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, December 9, 2011
3. End of the Texas Trail Marker in front of the Ogallala Post Office
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, December 9, 2011
4. The Ogallala Post Office
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, December 9, 2011
5. The "Long Horns" mural by Frank Mechau
This mural is inside the Ogallala Post Office.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 20, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 733 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 20, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
