“Bridging the Chisholm Trail through Indian Territory” exhibit opening, Chisholm Trail Museum

The Chisholm Trail Museum is proud to announce the grand opening of a major exhibit in conjunction with the 150th anniversary of the Chisholm Trail. On Saturday, February 11, at 1 pm an exhibit entitled “Bridging the Chisholm Trail through Indian Territory” will open, and all are welcome to attend the grand opening! Within the broader historical context of the Chisholm Trail, the more than 1,300-square-foot exhibit will emphasize the history of the Chisholm Trail as it relates to Indian Territory and what is now north-central Oklahoma. The exhibit will feature artifacts, narrative, photographs, maps, video, and audio to tell the story of the Chisholm Trail in Indian Territory.

Historically, Texas and Kansas benefited economically from the Chisholm Trail. In Texas, large cattle owners, cowboys, and suppliers enjoyed unprecedented profits from trailing cattle north through Indian Territory to Kansas railheads. In Kansas, once small and/or previously non-existent prairie towns would transform into boom towns from holding, servicing, and shipping millions of Texas cattle east by railroad. These Kansas cattle towns also profited from serving cowboys food, drink, and entertainment after several long months trailing cattle. The benefits and major profits earned by Texas cowboys and Kansas cattle towns would not have been possible without the almost straight path from Texas to Kansas through Indian Territory.