COLEMAN COUNTY – In the late 1800’s, cowboys would drive huge herds of Longhorn cattle from Mexico to the Canadian border along the Great Western Trail. The trail passes through Coleman County and trail markers can be found today showing the path taken. The Great Western Trail’s history was rather brief but very active. Between 1874 and 1893, an estimated six to seven million cattle and one million horses had traversed the trail.
A new Great Western Trail Marker was dedicated Thursday afternoon, April 21, 2022 in Coleman as the community celebrates its western heritage this weekend during Great Western Trail Days. The marker is located near the intersection of Highway 84 and Highway 153 on the east side of town, near the MLK Bridge.
A small crowd gathered to recognize and honor local history. It would take three months for cowboys to drive herds of Longhorn cattle to markets in the northern states. Finding Coleman County favorable, many cattle drovers returned to this land to settle and raise families. Many of their descendants still reside in our county today.
Sylvia Mahoney (shown above), author of the book “Finding the Great Western Trail“, spoke and encouraged the crowd to become active in helping preserve the trail.
Numerous events associated with Great Western Trail Days are going on this weekend in Coleman as shown below.
Friday, April 22
- Sylvia Mahoney & a Texas longhorn for education at Coleman Elementary 4th grade
- 10 AM – 6 PM Library Exhibits available
- Noon – 5 PM Longhorn show check-in – Goree Expo
- The Western Film Festival Films, check FB for details
- 7 PM CCYAC & Circle C Cattlewomen & KOXE presents “Up the Trail, Under the Stars” Musical Event starring Ariel Hutchins and Allora Leonard. SOLD OUT!
Saturday, April 23
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- 9 AM – 1 PM Red River Arenas Longhorn Show at the Goree Expo, Judge: Ryan Holaway
- 10 AM – ACE Happy Trails FUN RUN
10 AM – 2 PM
Pioneer Market – Vendors, Demonstrations, Texas Longhorns from Ft. Griffin, Pioneer re-enactors
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- Location: Courthouse Lawn (vendor info email: colemantxfarmersmarket@gmail.com) 10 AM
- Longhorns on the courthouse lawn with cowboy Will Cradduck
- 10 AM – 4 PM Library Exhibits, Beans & Cornbread
- 10 AM – 12 PM Library -Youth activities – bring the kids for hands-on fun & learning, Book Signing
- The Western Film Festival at Heritage Hall
- 1 PM – 4 PM Red River Arenas TLBT Youth Longhorn Show-Judge: Blayze Bierschwale-Goree Expo
Sunday, April 24
- 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM Cowboy Breakfast at the Goree Expo – Everyone welcome!
- 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM Jeff Gore’s Cowboy Church Service & Music-Everyone Welcome! Goree Expo
- 9:30-10 AM Mini Concert of Cowboy Music by Jeff Gore of Silver Valley, TX
- 10 AM – 1 PM Central Texas Farm Credit Youth Longhorn Show Judged by Corey Sanchez-Goree Expo
For more updated information, changes, or more details on the events, please go to www.greatwesterntraildays.com.