The Roots Of The Cheyenne Cattle Drive

You always know it's that time again for Cheyenne Frontier Days, when you see the livestock and cattlemen heading down Hynds Blvd for the cattle drive.

What is the big deal with having a cattle drive? It's historical, to say the least. Cattlemen have been participating in cattle drives, at least since the mid-1800's. Cattle drives were a big economic activity and driver during the early years of the transcontinental railroad.

There were around 20 million cattle that would make their way from Texas to Kansas and then up to Chicago and other eastern states.

Because this was done on foot and horseback, the livestock and cattlemen, also known as cowboys, would have to rest periodically along the way. This cause the birth of what is known as 'cow towns', which would offer stables, water and resting places along the drive.

Today, to kick of Cheyenne Frontier Days, we have our own cattle drive, which is more symbolic and a hallmark of our western heritage, which put the American Cowboy on the map.