Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Enid (Okla.) News and Eagle: Drivers traversing down U.S. 81 might be oblivious that the thoroughfare served as a primary stem for what was once lauded as the world’s greatest cow trail.
The Chisholm Trail, the namesake of mixed-blood Cherokee transfer and guide Jesse Chisholm, transported more than three million head of cattle for a decade in the 1800s following the Civil War.
As modern-day residents on the historic Chisholm Trail, how are we embracing this storied route?
We hope citizens don’t take this chapter of local history for granted. We should build on its heritage to educate and entertain future generations.
The impressive Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center is adjacent to Government Springs Park, the well-known watering hole for one of the western world’s wonders. Silhouettes in the park commemorate the area’s early cattle drives.
The National Park Service is finalizing a feasibility study to determine if the Chisholm Trail qualifies as a national historic trail.
Here’s hoping it passes the test to serve as a boon to local tourism for generations to come.