AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |
Back to Blog
Open range ogallala1/15/2024 ![]() ![]() ![]() Water stops and supply stores were located along the route in Oklahoma and Southern Kansas. That year cowboys, primarily from Texas, started arriving in Ogallala to sell their cattle.Īs cattle arrived, the route was named The Texas Trail or Great Western Cattle Trail. This secured Ogallala’s role as a railhead for trail herds. In 1874, the Union Pacific constructed cattle pens and loading chutes just outside of town. By 1873, the population stood at 25, and the town had a few rough buildings. Aufdengarten opened a general store and saloon while the Lonergans had a clothing store. The following year, former railroad workers, brothers Tom and Philip Lonergan, and merchant and outfitter Louis Aufdengarten decided to set up businesses catering to soldiers, trappers, buffalo hunters, and a few cattlemen. To protect settlers, the United States Army stationed soldiers every few miles, usually along railroad sidings. This led to Indian hostilities, particularly from the Sioux. Ogallala, consisted of only a water tower and a section house along the tracks near the South Platte River.Īs the area started development, buffalo hunters soon decimated the herds that had roamed the area for centuries. In 1867, when it became a “tank town” for the Union Pacific. When the Transcontinental Railroad was completed, stops were required every few miles as trains made their way across the continent. Today’s visitors find Tri-Trails Park, Boot Hill, Front Street, and Mansion on the Hill serving as reminders of its fascinating history. However, it was the cattle drives between 18 that gave this small town the boost it needed and its reputation as “Queen of the Cow Towns.” At its peak, it had more cattle moving through than Dodge City, Kansas. After the fur trappers, gold seekers and homesteaders in the 1840's passed through the area on the California, Oregon, and Mormon Trails. ![]() The Pawnee and Sioux Indians were the first to discover the territory around Ogallala. ![]()
0 Comments
Read More
Leave a Reply. |