Curated OER
The American West-Knowledge Test
In this American West worksheet, students complete a 24 questions test about the American West. Answers are included beneath questions on worksheet.
Other
Seymour Chamber of Commerce: The Great Western Cattle Trail
Learn about the Great Western Cattle Trail, that was used in the 1800s, and stretched from Bandera, Texas to Dodge City Kansas.
Other
Ellis County Museum: Texas Cattle Trails
This article surveys the cattle kingdom and cattle boom in Ellis County, Texas that started in the 1840s.
Open Library of the Internet Archive
Open Library: The Great Cattle Trail
This ebook version of Edward Sylvester Ellis's The Great Cattle Trail has been made available in multiple formats by the Open Library. Editions of the full novel, organized by year of publication, may be accessed here.
Legends of America
Legends of America: The Goodnight Loving Trail
Named after Charles Goodnight, the Goodnight-Loving Trail spanned more than 2000 miles. Trace the history of the trail and the cattle drives that made their way across the dangerous territory in the 1800s.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: School Publishers: Join a Cattle Drive
At this site take a look at maps of cattle drives from the ranches and ranges of Texas to the market places in Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming.
Oklahoma Historical Society
Oklahoma Historical Society: Shawnee Trail
The Shawnee Trail, also known as the Texas Road, was a major corridor for transporting cattle, goods and people across Indian territory in the 1800s and stretched from Texas to Oklahoma. Briefly described it its history.
Other
The History of the Cattle Trail Chuck Wagon
Ever wonder what it was like to be a cowboy on the range? What did they eat? Who cooked it? This site provides a nicely done background on cowboy cooking, chuck wagon etiquette, and links to recipes.
Other
Southwest Collection: The Texas Ranching Frontier
Discusses the cattle drive era that occurred in the late 1800s. It gives details about the drives from Texas to the north.
Ancestry
Ok Gen Web Project: The Chisholm Trail and the Overland Cattle Trade
Description of the establishment and use of the Chisholm Trail for cattle drives in the mid- to late-1800s.
Other
Epcc Libraries: Borderlands: Black Cowboys Rode the Trails, Too 21 (2002)
Faculty-edited college student articles on the US-Mexico border giving insight to what life was like for black cowboys in the late 1800s. The article explains how many were ex-slaves that became cowboys after Emancipation, what their job...
Nebraska Studies
Nebraska Studies: High Falutin' Beef
This is an impressive history of the introduction of beef to the Great Plains region complete with videos, photos, and lesson plans.
PBS
Pbs the West: Charles Goodnight
Charles Goodnight (1836-1929) was one of the most prosperous cattleman of the American West. Read a thorough biography about him here at this site.
PBS
Pbs: New Perspectives on the West
This in-depth resource presents a history of the American West from pre-Columbian times until World War I with profiles, documents, and images. It encourages visitors to link these into patterns of historical meaning for themselves....
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Ways of the Cowboy
The cowboys were the background of the cattle boom in the 19th century. Read about their life, and their demise.
Texas State Historical Association
Texas State Historical Association: Almanac: Ranching in a Changing Land
Read how the traditional Texas professions of ranching and farming have changed throughout the history of Texas.
Other
Ks Cyclopedia: Joseph G. Mc Coy
A biography on Joseph G. McCoy discusses his involvement in the cattle trade in Kansas and his development of the Abilene Trail. Also mentions some of the other aspects and accomplishments of his life.
Nature Conservancy
Nature Conservancy: Nash Prairie Preserve
Explore the beauty of America's prairies and examine efforts to preserve this vanishing part of America's landscape.
Other
Cowboy Photographer: Erwin E. Smith
Learn about cowboys and the early west through Mr. Smith's art. Teaching resources are also supplied.