Longhorn Cattle

After the Civil War, herds of Texas longhorn cattle were driven north to marketing points in eastern Nebraska, but settlement by homesteaders forced the trail farther west each year. Beginning in 1875, the Union Pacific Railroad selected Ogallala as its main shipping point. In 1876 over 100,000 Texas longhorns were driven into Ogallala, with the last great drive occurring in 1884. These colorful cattle drives resulted in the development of ranches on the northern Plains and inspired the legend of the wild West, which remains a part of Nebraska's heritage.