05/30/2026
Happy DRT Convention Week! Hope it brought renewed inspirations.
Maybe you noticed the Old Chisholm Trail marker when you pulled up to unload at the Sheraton Downtown in Fort Worth? Did you envision cowboys, horses, and cattle drives?
The Chisholm Trail, established during late Civil War years, was a route for moving livestock and wagon cargo from South Texas to the Leavenworth, Pawnee and Western Railroad (LP&W) depots in Kansas. (The railroad was renamed Kansas Pacific Railway in 1869.) Fortunes were lost and made in development and use of the Trail, and the ability to transport was no less valuable during the Republic of Texas years.
The most common engine used on the Trail and in the Republic was the organic and dependable horse. In fact, horses were vital in the fight for Texas Independence. They provided speedy mobility for communication and for transferring food and supplies. A lot of time was invested stealing horses back-and-forth between the Texas Rangers and the opposition, especially during the Runaway Scrape.
On your next visit to the museum, spend a few moments imagining how most of these now-artifacts may have arrived in Texas. Most added some comfort to the tough life of a pioneer.
All thanks to a horse.
To see more photos from the convention, visit the DRT page at https://www.facebook.com/drtinfo.
