Chisholm Trail Marker - Mayfield, KS - Wagon Roads and Trails on Waymarking.com

The Chisholm Trail was used in the post-Civil War era to drive cattle overland from ranches in Texas (where there was a surplus of cattle) to Kansas railheads for shipment to the East Coast (where there was a shortage of beef). The trail was established by Black Beaver, a Lenape (Delaware) guide and rancher, and his friend Jesse Chisholm, a merchant. They collected and drove numerous cattle along the trail to Kansas, where they could be shipped East to achieve higher prices. The southern terminus was Red River Station, a trading post near the Red River, along the northern border of Texas. The Northern terminus was a trading post near Kansas City, Kansas. Chisholm owned both these posts, and users referred to the trail by his name. The trail was active for thirty years, until supplanted by the competing Texas Trail and by rail lines.

This marker is one of many set by Robert Kiemme of Enid, Oklahoma, who conceived the idea for the markers and dedicated himself to placing them along the Oklahoma section of the 800 mile route from San Antonio, Texas, to Abilene, Kansas, utilizing an 1871 government map on which surveyors' notes told where the trail crossed each section line. Each of the concrete markers is seven feet high by six inches square, weighs 200 pounds and bears the legend "Chisholm Trail" painted in black letters.

Road of Trail Name: Chisholm Trail State: Kansas County: Sumner Historical Significance: More cattle were taken across the Chisolm Trail than any other in history. Years in use: 30 How you discovered it: Chisolm Trail markers are found throughout this region, placed as described above. Book on Wagon Road or Trial: The Chisholm Trail : A History of the World's Greatest Cattle Trail by Sam P. Ridings ISBN13: 9780578420400 Website Explination: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chisholm_Trail Why?: Cattle Trail from Texas to Kansas, so that cattle could be shipped east by rail. Directions: From Highway 49 and W 48th Street S (a country road) proceed east for one mile to view the marker on the north side of the road.

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