30 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN August 2024 Ogallala’s Legacy As cattle drives waned and railroads expanded, Ogallala began to settle into a quieter existence. The legacy of the Texas Trail and the era of the cattle drives left an undeniable mark on the town, shaping its identity and preserving its place in the history of the American West. To this day, the Texas Trail is somewhat of an enigma – with little recorded history about its pathway and the cowboys who traveled it. However, in 2020, the Ogallala/Keith County Chamber of Commerce offices received a firsthand account of “the city’s Old West Cowtown past,” which was sourced from a December 1978 issue of American Agriculturist. This publication was a New York-based monthly magazine launched in 1842 “for the farm, garden and household,” and the newly recovered two-page article titled “The Texas Cattle Drive” told tales of the Texas Trail, cattle buyers and sellers, and pricing during that time. The article’s discovery adds another layer to Ogallala’s rich history, further solidifying its place in the stories of the American West. If anything, the limited historical accounts of the Texas Trail are a testament to the spirit of the cowboys who once traversed the Texas Trail to Ogallala – unknown, unpredictable and rugged. Whether you’re visiting for the historical sites, the local charm or simply passing through, Ogallala remains a symbol of the enduring legacy of the American frontier. It’s this charm that draws visitors from near and far to relive the days when Ogallala was truly the Cowboy Capital of Nebraska. ~NC~ TALES OF THE TEXAS TRAIL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29 A historical marker in Madrid commemorates the Texas Trail. Preparing Cattle to Thrive During Transition and Stress Trace mineral injection that provides zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium Probiotic that stabilizes rumen pH and promotes healthy rumen function LactiproNXT® LactiproFLX® (zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium injection) Visit axiota.com to learn more Axiota.com © 2024 Axiota® AX-00011-00 Animal Health
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