The Fort Worth Herd: Keeping Tradition Alive with the Last Remaining Cattle Drive

Originally posted on Men's Journal | By Madison Richmann | Last updated 4/16/24

History of Cowtown

From the 1860s to 1890, around four million head of cattle drove through Fort Worth. The city became a headquarters for the cattle industry, giving it its nickname, Cowtown. Fort Worth became known as cowboy country and grew exponentially in not only the cattle business alone but also meat packing, the railroad, oil, and entertainment. Today, the Stockyards still show a little bit of all of that history.

In 1876, the Stockyards were home to the rail station where livestock shipping and receiving was booming. The station is still there, full of shops and restaurants. Preserving history, the original brick road and many original buildings are still being used. The Stockyards has continued to keep the name 'Cowtown' relevant by keeping the earliest stock pens, loading and sorting bays, and the catwalk maintained and original. On occasion, these facilities are still used.

The Northside Coliseum, now known as Cowtown Coliseum, was built for indoor livestock shows. Soon after its construction, it became the home of the world's first indoor rodeo as well. The Coliseum is still used today for many rodeos, shows, and events.

The Herd

The Fort Worth Stockyards is home to a herd of longhorn cattle and the world's only twice-daily cattle drive. They have 17 longhorns in the herd, one for each decade of Forth Worth's History. 170 years later, the cattle drive is still going strong. Every day at 11:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., the cattle drive travels on East Exchange Avenue, through the Historic Stockyards, and right in front of the Livestock Exchange Building. From the chaps and boots and the horses and cowboys to the beautiful cattle, every bit of what is seen in these cattle drives is historically true and meant to show the authentic history of cowtown and the Western way of life. The longhorns can be viewed anytime during Stockyards' working hours while resting in their pens between the cattle drives.

Although much of the Stockyards has been converted to shopping, food, and other sights and attractions, the history remains true. The Fort Worth Stockyards is one of Texas' most popular tourist destinations.

This article first appeared on Men's Journal and was syndicated with permission.

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