Texas Cartographer Flint Cooper developed this map reproduction from Jack Potter’s 1935 original map and added important details about the cattle trails and drives. The border of the map is lined with old authentic Texas cattle brands.

Origin of Cattle Trails - The first cattle were brought to America by the Spanish. The Texas (then Mexican) plains were ideal grazing grounds as there was unlimited grazing and the climate was mild. Texans had all the cattle.

Prior to the Civil War, Texans drove their cattle to points on the Mississippi River and to Gulf ports for shipment to other markets. During the Civil War the Union armies successfully blockaded Texas ports in order to keep Texas meat from the Confederate army. Also there was nobody in Texas to herd or drive the cattle, the men were at war, and the herds ran wild. When the war ended there were within the borders of Texas between three and four million head of cattle.

After the war ended, there was great demand up East and Middle West for cattle, the cattle were worth ten times that than in Texas. However, the difficulties in reaching the northern buyer were great. Hundreds of miles of unknown Indian country had to be traversed, with no assurance of arriving at the journey’s end. But the Texas ranchers were determined to get their cattle to the north and to railroad depots.

Map measures 18” x 24”. Ships rolled in sturdy tube via USPS by our Cartographer, Flint Cooper (not available for local pickup).

Handling The Print - Hold the paper by the edges only, do not touch the printed surface. Oils on your hand could transfer to the print, potentially degrading the quality.