Welcome to Class!

Warm up: What is the difference between a

stockyard and a packinghouse?

Sheep and Goats, too!

CATTLE ranching was big business in Texas rather than a way of life.

Herds of sheep and GOATS were also raised on ranches across the state.

The end of the Open Range?

The success of the ranching industry was also the cause of its DECLINE.

So many ranchers moved into Texas that the open range became crowded. Soon, it was too difficult to keep TRACK of everyone’s herds.

Farmers and ranchers battled between each other.

Cattle trampled small farms and fences during a cattle drive.

They cut and destroyed fences and burned pasture land resulting in gunfights and lower property values.

Barbed WireIn 1873, Joseph F.

Glidden invented BARBED WIRE. People could not believe that cattle would move to the center of a barb-wired pen, but it WORKED!

The Open Range is Fenced Off

Barbed wire spread across the state, fencing off individual farms and RANCHES, but some people hated that the open range was coming to its end and closing the Frontier!

Fence CUTTING became a major problem because of RUSTLERS (cattle thieves) and others who resented the closing of the range.

Range Wars

The fighting was referred to as “RANGE WARS”…

Fighting was over…WaterBarbed WireCattle DrivesSheep and Goat Ranching

Windmills WINDMILLS also

contributed to the closing of the frontier.

By drilling a WELL and using the windmill as a pump, ranchers could access underground sources of WATER for their cattle.

Ranchers started fencing off their land and using windmills rather than having their cattle roam for MILES.

Irrigation Now

Irrigation is an artificial application of water to the soil. It is used to assist the growing of crops in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall.

The MYTH of the Cowboy

The MYTH of the Cowboy started in books and movies.

They portrayed cowhands as white men who experienced exciting adventures along the cattle trails and defended themselves against Indian tribes.

Realities of CowboysMany were African-Americans,

Mexican-Americans, and womenThe average age was 20 with a

small physical frameTrail rides were strenuous with

cowboys averaging 30-36 hours in the saddle.

How would you describe their daily life?