The Chisholm Trail

The Chisholm Trail was a historic cattle route in the United States that operated in the late 19th century. It stretched approximately 10 to 15 miles wide across Indian Territory (modern Oklahoma) and connected cattle ranches in Texas to railheads in Kansas. Cowboys drove large herds of cattle along this trail to reach markets and shipping points, facilitating the cattle industry’s growth. The trail became iconic for its role in shaping the American West’s economy and culture, symbolizing frontier resilience and the cattle drive era before the expansion of railroads and settlement altered transportation methods.