1. The Cowboy and Cattle Drives

2. Longhorn Cattle…
The Spanish explorers and missionaries brought cattle to Texas.
Longhorn Cattle are strong and hearty with long legs and curved horns they use for protection.

3. Open Range…
Before 1880’s ranchers did not build fences. They simply let their cattle roam freely
Cattle were branded to show ownership on the open range.

4. Roundup…
Since cattle roamed freely, cowhands had to gather up the cattle with their brand to drive them to market.
Calves had to be branded.

5. Branding…
Brand: is a designed burned into the hide of a cow to show ownership.

6. The Cattle Market… How much were cattle worth in Texas? 3 to 4 dollars
How much were cattle worth in Eastern Cities?
30 to 40 dollars or 10 times as much
Where could Texans make the most money?
Selling cattle in Eastern cities

7. The Cattle market Problem Solving
In the 1880’s what was the quickest way to travel over land?
Railroad
Were there any railroads in Texas? No
If you were a cowboy how would you get your cattle to the nearest railroad?

8. The Cattle Trails… Where do all the trails start?
List several cities were the trails stop.
All the cities are located on what?
List all 5 of the cattle trails.

9. The Cattle Trails…

10. Closing the Open Range…
Barbed Wire: Twisted wire with sharp points or barbs. It was strung between post as a fence.

11. Closing the Open Range…
As barbed wire fences were built they cut off cattle from water.
Windmills were used to pump water from wells below the ground so cattle could drink.

12. Activity:
Make your own brand just like the cowboys used to. Use these sites to help you get ideas.
Take out a scrap sheet of paper and draw your brand.

13. Supplies Scissors Pencil Glue or Glue stick
Brown and Black Construction Paper

14. How to… Trace your brand onto the black piece of construction paper.
Cut the brand out. Be very careful to make it look neat.
Take the glue stick or glue and put glue on the back of your brand and place it on the brown construction paper.