THE CHISHOLM TRAIL

A Travel Texas Project by Michelle Martinez

CHISHOLM TRAIL CROSSING

Round Rock, Texas

The Chisholm Trail Crossing Park provides visitors with a simulated scene of Round Rock's historical role in the Chisholm Cattle Drive. Commemorative plaques in the park tell of the history of Round Rock. The bronze sculptures of 4 steers and pioneer woman, Hattie Cluck, and her son, Emmitt, were commissioned by the City through generous donations from Round Rock residents. The sculptures depict Round Rock's history as a crossing location along the Chisholm Trail. The famous 'round rock' is near the park in the Brushy Creek. The limestone crossing is marked with ruts from the wagons that crossed while on the cattle dive.  http://www.roundrocktexas.gov/home/index.asp?page=1529

This sculpture was donated by the Torres family in honor of their family heritage on the frontier. Both of their parents were immigrants from Mexico. They came to America in the 1900’s but their families traveled with the cattle drive in the late 1800’s. They chose the longhorn to represent their agricultural background in their ancestor’s frontier life.

Goin’ to Water by Jim Thomas

The lead steer would wear a bell that let the herd and cowboys know where the head of the herd was in the dark and bad weather. These steers were often led back to Texas at the end of their trail to lead another herd of cattle on the drive back to Kansas.

The Bell Steer by Jim Thomas

Hattie Cluck and her family were one of the first families to travel the Chisholm Trail in 1871. Hattie was the first woman to travel the trail from Texas to Kansas. Once they made it to Kansas, the family came back and settled on Brushy Creek. Her son Emmitt was also on the trail, along with two other siblings.

The Pioneer Woman and the Pioneer Boy

Round Rock is named after this rock. It marked a low-water wagon crossing for settlers. The community was originally called Brushy Creek, but Postmaster Thomas Oatts suggested it be renamed after the round rock in 1854.

The Round Rock

Hundred year old wheel tracks are still visible in the riverbed of Brushy Creek. The rocky stream bed also building stone for Pioneer homes.

Wagon Wheel Tracks

It was an amazing feeling standing in the tracks of the frontiers. Wheel tracks have worn away over time, and stones have been added to complete the trail. If you look closely, you will see that the wagon wheel track is wider than where I am standing.

Standing in the Tracks of the Frontiers

There is a walking trail along the bank of Brushy Creek. This wagon wheel marks the spot where the wagon trail starts in the bed of Bushy Creek.

Wagon Wheel Trail Marker

Brushy Creek

CHISHOLM TRAIL MURAL

Fort Worth, Texas

Sundance Square in downtown Fort Worth is rich in Western history and lore. During the great cattle drives of the late 1800's, Fort Worth was one of the major stops on the legendary Chisholm Trail. Cowboys on the trail would visit downtown Fort Worth for some much needed recreation. The downtown area was filled with saloons, gambling parlors, shooting galleries and dance halls, which attracted a rough mix of gamblers, cattlemen, outlaws, and lonesome doves.http://www.sundancesquare.com/about.aspx

The mural was added to the southern side of the Jett building in 1985 commemorating the Chisholm Trail cattle drive from 1867-1875.

Chisholm Trail Mural by Richard Haas

The mural includes false architecture and stained glass windows. It depicts a small herd of longhorn cattle seeming to step through the archway in 3-D.

TEXAS RANGER HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM

Waco, Texas

The official museum, hall of fame, and repository of the Texas Rangers in Waco, Texas.

http://www.texasranger.org/

This display features a Ranger stopping someone from cutting a barbed wire fence that belongs to a rancher. In the 1880’s, the fence cutting wars were between ranchers, Indians, cattle drives, and rustlers. Many people thought the range should be kept open, but ranchers felt the need to put up fencing to keep their cattle in and to keep their graze land for themselves.

The Fence Cutting Wars

This is a drawing that was featured in Harper’s Weekly, May 2, 1874. The drawing was submitted by Frenzeny and Tavernier.

The Texas Cattle Drive

BELL COUNTY MUSEUM

Belton, Texas

The Chisholm Trail passed through Belton, Texas along Nolan Creek from 1867-1887. http://www.bellcountytx.com/Museum/exhibits_monument.html

This monument was added to the Bell County Museum in 2007. It was sculpted by Troy Kelley.

Chisholm Trail Monument

From 1867-1887, over 14 million head of cattle were driven north from Texas along the Chisholm Trail to Kansas.

This teepee is an ongoing exhibit, part of the Chisholm Trail exhibit.

The Chisholm Trail Monument features 17 panels of sculpted scenes from the Chisholm Trail based on local stories.

Chisholm Trail Monument

Scene of a Cowboy

Driving the Herd

Jesse Chisholm

BOSQUE COUNTY MUSEUM

Clifton, Texas

The Chisholm Trail passed directly through Clifton, Texas along the Bosque River.http://www.bosquemuseum.org/

This is a picture of a cattle drive on the Chisholm Trail in Bosque County.

On the Trail in Bosque County

Here is a picture of a camp on the trail. During the cattle drive, they would set up camp for a night or two to give the cowboys and the cattle a rest. They would all stay together to keep a better watch from Indians and cattle rustlers.

Camping on the Trail

While at the museum, I found a picture of some of my family. The Bernhardt’s were one of the founding families of Womack, Texas. Here is a picture of the Bernhardt Band, all of which are my relatives.

Family Background

WILLIAMSON MUSEUM

Georgetown, Texas

The Chisholm Trail passed through Georgetown, Texas along the San Gabriel River.http://museum.wilco.org/

This museum is set up more for children. This portion of the presentation will have a more personal note.

In this exhibit, pioneer clothes were set up in a trunk for kiddos to play in. Sophie loved wearing the bonnet and apron.

Life as a Pioneer Woman

Settlers that didn’t finish the cattle drive often times become cotton farmers. Sophie is feeling the different kinds of cotton on display.

Cotton

This spinning wheel was set up for kids to practice spinning cotton. Sophie had fun making it spin by using the foot pedal.

The Spinning Wheel

This exhibit is set up for kids to pretend they are on the cattle drive. Sophie is pretending to ride a horse.

On the Trail

The chuck wagon was set up with cooking utensils from the late 1800’s.

Cooking Lunch

The chuck wagon was set up around a little campground to give kids an authentic feel of the Chisholm Trail.

Making Corn Bread

THE CHISHOLM TRAIL

http://www.thechisholmtrail.com/map2.htm