Cattle History
Fort Worth Grew Up on the Cattle Drives
After the Civil War, millions of longhorn cattle passed through Fort Worth on their way north — the city became a major stop on the cattle trail.
Fort Worth's location near the Chisholm Trail made it a key supply point for drovers heading cattle to Kansas railheads. Between 1866 and 1890, more than four million head of cattle moved through the area. Cowboys and ranchers flooded the town, fueling saloons, hotels, and supply stores.
The arrival of the Texas and Pacific Railroad in 1876 transformed Fort Worth from a trail town into a shipping hub. That transition laid the groundwork for the meatpacking industry that followed at the Stockyards.
Source to confirm: Tarrant County – History