Between 18, approximately 10 million Texas longhorns were driven northward out of Texas to Kansas railheads and loaded onto railcars bound for Chicago slaughterhouses to satisfy the demand for beef along the eastern seaboard. The Spanish cattle were the natural resource that helped the Texas economy recover faster than the rest of the South, ushering in the Texas cattle drive era. From about 1700 until 1865, herds of Spanish cattle roamed with abandon in the wilds of Texas.Īfter the Civil War, the economies of the former Confederate states were destroyed. Not only do modern-day ranching tools and terminology have Spanish origins, but a modern descendant of Spanish cattle is the Texas longhorn.
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And the lasso, an essential tool for ranching, came from the Spanish term la reata. Likewise, chaparreras or chaparejos (chaps) are still worn by cowboys today. Mostrenco, meaning “no known owner,” became Anglicized to “maverick.” Mesteño-meaning “ownerless” and originally referring to both horses and cattle-became “mustang.” Orejano indicated a creature unmarked or unbranded ( oreja means “ear”), and cimarrón referred a creature in a feral state. These bovines were labeled according to their tameness, and many of these terms are still used today. After the priests and cowboy-soldiers evacuated the area, private citizens-like Antonio Gil Y’Barbo, who later founded Nacogdoches-began rounding up these herds and driving them to market at New Orleans, now a part of New Spain. But the cattle the Spaniards brought to the region roamed, thrived, and multiplied.Īlthough the missions were abandoned, Spanish cattle were introduced to the East Texas region, marking the beginning of a lasting cattle ranching industry. In 1763, France lost virtually all land claims in North America at the end of the French and Indian War, and within a decade the Spanish missions in Tejas were closed as they were no longer considered a necessity. These livestock duties were later transferred either all or in part to the soldiers stationed at the mission.
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Initially, the Franciscan priests were charged with caring for the livestock, earning them the title of first cattle ranchers in Texas. This second entrada included priests, soldiers, colonists, and 4,800 head of Spanish cattle. To stop French encroachment from neighboring Louisiana, in 1717 Spain established six missions-including Misión Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de los Ais (now Mission Dolores State Historic Site)-along the eastern edge of the El Camino Real de los Tejas to better control the territory they claimed.Īfter a brief two years, the missions were abandoned but more firmly re-established in 1721.
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England controlled the eastern seaboard, but Spain and France were competing for control of lands west of the Mississippi River. In the 18th century, three major European powers were competing for control of North America: Spain, France, and England. By Amanda Carr, Educator/Interpreter, Mission Dolores State Historic SiteĬattle drives in Texas originated about 300 years ago with the establishment of Spanish missions in New Spain’s eastern province of Tejas.