The final destination of the Longhorn cattle of the Texas Cattle trade era was Kansas. Here are several images of the Kansas cowtowns, the final destination of the Longhorns. You will also see some other images about the cattle trade. All images courtesy of the Kansas State Historical Society.
1. Abilene in its glory
An illustration of a train of cattle leaving Abilene, Kansas. The illustration was copied from Joseph G. McCoy's Historic Sketches of the Cattle Trade of the West and Southwest, 1874. The illustrator is Henry Worrall
Creator: Baker-Co
Date: 1874
Image courtesy of the Kansas Historical Society
2. Wichita, Kansas
This engraving copied from Harper's Weekly magazine is looking north on main street where it crosses Douglas Avenue in Wichita, Kansas. The illustration is credited to both Paul Frenzeny and Jules Tavernier.
Creator: Frenzeny & Tavernier
Date: May 02, 1874
Image courtesy of the Kansas Historical Society
3. Cattle swimming a river
This black and white photograph shows an illustration of cattle swimming the Arkansas River at Wichita, Kansas.
Date: Between 1870 and 1899
Image courtesy of the Kansas Historical Society
4. Abilene, Kansas
A photograph showing Broadway Avenue, looking north in Abilene, Kansas.
Date: 1875
Image courtesy of the Kansas Historical Society
5. Wichita in 1869
A black and white photograph of "Wichita in 1869" painted by Wichita artist Coy Avon (C. A.) Seward in 1920. On September 28, 1920, The Wichita Beacon noted that the painting was "presented to the [Sedgwick County] Pioneer Society by businessmen in the city" and "shows Wichita as a trading post along a trail (Waco avenue) extending north from the Munger house." On May 1, 1921, The Wichita Eagle reported that the painting was painted "from description and data furnished by William Finn, the city's first surveyor. Mr. Finn declares this picture to be a very true likeness of the city as it appeared to him when he arrived in the late summer of '69." The Pioneer Society later donated the painting to the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum.
Creator: Seward, C. A. (Coy Avon), 1884-1939
Date: 1869
Image courtesy of the Kansas Historical Society
6. Great Bend, Kansas
This black and white photograph shows a view of the business district in Great Bend, Kansas.
Date: Between 1870 and 1880
Image courtesy of the Kansas Historical Society
7. Street scene in Baxter Springs, Kansas
A street scene in Baxter Springs, Kansas, showing the G.W. Koontz grocery store and an oxen-drawn wagon.
Date: Between 1870 and 1900
Image courtesy of the Kansas Historical Society
8. Caldwell, Kansas
This pencil sketch of Caldwell, Kansas is taken from the Ado Hunnius diary and depicts the Caldwell House Hotel from the northeast end of the street.
Date: 1876
Image courtesy of the Kansas Historical Society
9. Cattle round-up
This black and white photograph shows a cattle round-up at the 101 Ranch, Hunnewell, Kansas.
Date: Between 1870 and 1899
Image courtesy of the Kansas Historical Society
11. Cowboys gathered for a round-up.
This black and white photograph shows a group of cowboys gathered for a round-up at the 101 ranch south of Hunnewell, Kansas.
Date: Between 1870 and 1898
Image courtesy of the Kansas Historical Society
12. Dodge City, Kansas
View of Front Street in Dodge City, Kansas.
Date: Between 1870 and 1880
Image courtesy of the Kansas Historical Society
13. Dodge House and Billiard Hall, Dodge City, Kansas
A stereograph showing the Dodge House and Billiard Hall in Dodge City, Kansas.
Date: 1874
Image courtesy of the Kansas Historical Society
14. Ellsworth, Kansas
This black and white photograph shows a view of Ellsworth, Kansas. The town is located on the north side of the Smoky Hill River and is the county seat of Ellsworth County.
Date: 1879
Image courtesy of the Kansas Historical Society
15. Joseph and James McCoy
A portrait of Joseph McCoy and his brother James McCoy. Joseph, a young cattle dealer from Illinois, induced Texas herders to drive their cattle to Abilene, Kansas. In 1871, increased settlement and sentiment against rowdy cowboys forced the trail drivers to move from Abilene to other towns, notably Newton and Ellsworth. Joseph McCoy remained involved in the cattle trade after the shipping center moved from Abilene.
Creator: Leonard & Martin
Date: Between 1870 and 1875
Image courtesy of the Kansas Historical Society
16. Longhorns in Dodge City, Kansas
A drawing depicting Texas Longhorns being driven down a street to a cattle rendezvous, Dodge City, Kansas. A sketch by Edward Rapier published in Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper.
Creator: Rapier, Edward
Date: July 27, 1878
Image courtesy of the Kansas Historical Society
17. On the Trail
This engraving copied from Harper's Weekly magazine shows cowboys herding cattle along an unidentified trail.
Creator: Harpers Weekly
Date: May 02, 1874
Image courtesy of the Kansas Historical Society