 |
 |
 |
 |

The beginning of the Texas ranch and the emergence of the cowboy lifestyle, roundups, and trail drives. Go
 |
 |
Read trail rider E.C. "Teddy Blue" Abbott's memoirs. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |

Frontier wives were tough as nails and fought drought, disease, and loneliness to make the ranch a home. Go
 |
 |
Read diary excerpts of frontier wife Susan Newcomb. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |

Spanish influences in Texas arrived with the soldiers, missionaries, "vaqueros," and settlers who fanned out across the vast frontier. Go
 |
 |
Talk like a "vaquero." Listen to cowboy talk in English and Spanish. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |

The American colonization of Texas inevitably created war with the Comanche, the Lords of the Texas Plains. Go
 |
 |
Watch video of Comanche Calvert Nevaquaya playing traditional Comanche flute music. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |

Many ex-slaves as well as black men born after emancipation worked for Texas cattle companies, riding north to the so-called cattle towns or railheads. Go
 |
 |
Read about the lives of four famous black cowboys. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |

The Buffalo Soldiers were some of the first to defend the frontier and settlers from Indians' raids. Go
 |
 |
View historical photos of Buffalo Soldiers. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |