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Maps

We've assembled the following list of maps that are applicable to the Cotton, Cattle, & Railroads Unit.

Map aboriginal America: showing the distribution and territorial limits of the Indian nations, in the new world

Map aboriginal America: showing the distribution and territorial limits of the Indian nations, in the new world

"Map shows Native American tribe locations across the United States and portions of Mexico and Canada."

The Santa Fé Trail

The Santa Fé Trail

"Map shows historical trade routes across the western United States. Includes legend and illustrations."

Map of the Texas & Pacific Rail Way

Map of the Texas & Pacific Rail Way

"Map shows highlighted railroad routes between Shreveport and Texarkana across north central Texas, southern New Mexico, Arizona, and California to San Diego."

'Texas New Yorker' Travelers' railroad map of the State of Texas

'Texas New Yorker' Travelers' railroad map of the State of Texas

"Map shows late nineteenth century south, central, and east Texas railroads, counties, and county seats. Includes illustration, 'HQ for Texas,' and text, 'Historical Statistics concerning Texas.'."

A geographically correct map of the State of Texas

A geographically correct map of the State of Texas

"Map shows counties, cities, towns, military posts, existing railroads, proposed railroads. Native American tribal locations in "Indian Territory" is also indicated."

Correct map of Texas

Correct map of Texas

"Map shows "railroads in operation, railroads in course of construction, wagon roads, and county seats." Includes advice and statistical tables on wages, prices on goods, lumber, as well as how and why to go to Texas."

Colonists' and emigrants' route to Texas

Colonists' and emigrants' route to Texas

"Map shows pictorial representation of Texas cities, towns, and military posts in European fashion [as if built on a hill]; roads, railroads, steam ship lines into Galveston, "International Overland Route," and rivers."

Map of the Texas short line: St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern, Texas & Pacific and International & Great Northern Railways

Map of the Texas short line: St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern, Texas & Pacific and International & Great Northern Railways

"Map shows main and connecting railroad routes from St. Louis to cities in Arkansas and Texas and stops along those routes. Includes panel below map with advertising text."

Map showing Cattle Trails as used from 1866 to 1895

Map showing Cattle Trails as used from 1866 to 1895

"Map of the cattle trails throughout Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, and Texas, used to travel northward to markets and shipping points. The map also includes state boundaries, major towns, bodies of water, and areas of elevation."

The Best and Shortest Cattle Trails From Texas

The Best and Shortest Cattle Trails From Texas

"Map of the cattle trails throughout Texas, present-day Oklahoma, Colorado, and Kansas, used to travel northward to markets and shipping points. The map also includes towns, railroads, and bodies of water."

Cram's railroad and county map of Texas

Cram's railroad and county map of Texas

"Map shows counties, major cities and towns, and railroads in all but westernmost tip of Texas; Native American nations and township grid in adjoining Indian Territory; counties, major cities and towns, railroads, township grid, and areas of Native American habitation."

Public sale of town lots, at Hubbard City : on the Texas and St. Louis Railway, Thursday, August 11, 1881

Public sale of town lots, at Hubbard City : on the Texas and St. Louis Railway, Thursday, August 11, 1881

"Map shows late nineteenth century Hubbard, Texas street names, block and lot numbers, lot and street dimensions, parks, courthouse, schools, and railroads. Includes text describing advantages of Hubbard City, the terms of sale, and railroad transportation to the sale."

The railroad system of Texas on September 1st, 1881

The railroad system of Texas on September 1st, 1881

"Map shows the late nineteenth century Texas railroad system as shown in the Galveston News."

Maps of Dallas and Buffalo

Maps of Dallas and Buffalo

"Map shows late nineteenth century Dallas, Texas street names, parks, railroads, street car lines, cemeteries, and some buildings."

City of Houston, Texas, 1884

City of Houston, Texas, 1884

"Map shows first, second, third, fourth, and fifth wards of Houston, Texas with street names, buildings, parks, churches, businesses, cemeteries, railroads, block numbers, lot numbers, and ownership."

Bird's eye view of San Antonio : Bexar Co. Texas 1886 looking north east

Bird's eye view of San Antonio : Bexar Co. Texas 1886 looking north east

"Hand drawn aerial map of 1886 San Antonio showing streets, buildings, vegetation, and landmarks."

Map of Texas

Map of Texas

"Map shows Texas county boundaries as of September 1, 1888."

Map of Taylor County, Texas

Map of Taylor County, Texas

"Survey map of Taylor County, Texas, along with advertisements and a description of Taylor County, published in a periodical. The map shows property lines, ownership, land grants, and plat numbers."

Galveston County

Galveston County

"Map shows land patents, block and tract numbers, landowners, towns, and railroads; portions of adjacent counties where property boundaries extend beyond county limits."

Videos

We provide videos for both continuing education and classroom use. Please see each video's descriptive page for related resources and details about accessibility and viewing options.

Preview of Cotton, Cattle, and Railroads
6 min.

Preview of Cotton, Cattle, and Railroads

Dr. Andrew Torget provides a preview of the Cotton, Cattle, & Railroads Unit and explores the transformation of Texas between 1870 and 1900, driven by a population boom, the rise of the cattle industry, and the expansion of railroads. While these developments brought prosperity to some, they also led to conflicts with Native Americans, battles over land and water, and economic struggles for cotton farmers, whose declining profits led them to form the Populist Party in an effort to improve their situation. This period marked significant changes in Texas, setting the stage for its modernization.

untlbs people ethnic groups african americans keywrd people women none
Indian Wars and Cattle Drives
44 min.

Indian Wars and Cattle Drives

The rise of the cattle industry and conflicts with Indians in Texas, covering: (1) Massive Immigration, (2) Last of the Indian Wars, (3) Post-War Cattle Markets, (4) Rise of Cattle Drives.

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Mega-Ranches
22 min.

Mega-Ranches

Ranching in Texas, covering: (1) Rise of Mega-Ranches, (2) End of the Cattle Drives.

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Farmers in Rebellion
54 min.

Farmers in Rebellion

Texas near the end of the 19th century, including: (1) The Problem of Cotton, (2) The Grange, (3) The Farmer’s Alliance, (4) Rise of the Populists, (5) Election of 1892.

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Populism and Jim Crow
41 min.

Populism and Jim Crow

Populism and the Jim Crow era in Texas, covering: (1) 1893 Populists on the Rise, (2)The Fateful Election of 1896, (3) Fall and Collapse of the Populists, (4) Establishing Jim Crow Texas.

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Cities and the Hurricane
46 min.

Cities and the Hurricane

The hurricane that hit Texas in 1900, covering (1) Life in Texas by 1900, (2) the Storm of 1900.

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More Resources

The following list of resources provide additional information to help you dive deeper into the context of the unit. Books are linked to OCLC WorldCat, allowing you find a copy in your nearest local library or to make a request for it using interlibrary loan.

  • General

  • website Results for Cotton, Cattle, & Railroads in The Portal to Texas History

    Digital copies of primary sources and other documents from our about this time period contributed to The Portal to Texas History by institutional partners from across the State.