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About Our Museum
The Chisholm Trail
Heritage Museum is a 501(c)(3) organization
that was incorporated in 2000, but the story began in 1866, in the
shadows of the Civil War and Reconstruction, when a handful of hardy
souls from DeWitt County, Texas embarked on what would be an epic
journey Northward on a cattle drive to St. Joseph, Missouri and into
the legend of the Chisholm Trail.
The Board of Trustees of the Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum began as
a group of area citizens dedicated to the founding of, and
perpetuation of, a museum to tell the story of South Central Texas'
proud contribution to the twin legends of the Texas cowboy and the
Longhorn. The oldest trail riders that could have told the tales of
life along the Chisholm Trail have long since hung up their spurs,
but the Museum's mission is to chronicle those formative years by
focusing on the 50-year period beginning with Crockett Cardwell's
now legendary cattle drive of 1866. Our museum will make a
significant cultural, social and educational contribution by
interpreting the historical relevance of a story which begins right
here in our community.
We as a board have begun our own journey, of making our mission a
reality. Early in 2002, the Board of Trustees voted to purchase
the historic "Jewel Lodge" built by the Knights of Pythias in 1903.
Designed by renowned San Antonio architect James Warhenberger, the
lodge was built to serve the ceremonial and recreational requirements
of the Knights of Pythias, a national fraternal charity
organization, which was chartered by Congress in 1864 to begin
healing the wounds created by the Civil War.
Historically, DeWitt and the five surrounding counties, Victoria,
Gonzales, Lavaca, Karnes and Goliad have played important roles in
the development of ranching traditions, not only for the state of
Texas, but for the great American West. One of the best known and
documented cattle drives to a northern market was one which departed
from "Cardwell Flats" on April 1, 1866 just north of present day
Cuero. Crockett Cardwell had organized 1,800 head of Longhorn cattle
to be driven in two equal herds by trail boss Thornton Chisholm,
also of DeWitt County. These cattle drives provided Texas an
economic means of recovery from the Civil War, as they provided beef
for northern markets and breeding of stock for ranches developing
further north and west. A
Texas Historical Commission
historical marker is located four miles north of Cuero on U.S. 183,
near the now legendary site of Cardwell Flats.
In 2002, the TNC created a Chisholm Trail travel brochure in
partnership with Texas Department of Parks and
Wildlife and Texas Department of Transportation. The brochure, which
features maps and information on communities located on the legendary
trail, plays an important role in the Texas Historical Commission’s
efforts in attracting “heritage tourism” to the state by helping
heritage tourists explore the lore and history associated with the
legendary cattle drive route. The Chisholm Trail brochure highlights
the mystique of Texas’ early cattle and ranching heritage and
encourages people to get out and explore places and events that
celebrate that history. To request a copy of the brochure, please
contact the Cuero Chamber of Commerce by calling (361) 275-2112 or
e-mail
cuerocc@cuero.org. You may also contact
the Texas Historical Commission
for brochures at (512) 463-6255.
To become a member of the Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum or for more
information regarding the organization’s efforts in historic
preservation and creation of a regional museum institution and
community facilities, write:
The Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum, P.O. Box 866, Cuero, Texas 77954
or see our Contribute page.
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