From 1867-1887, an estimated 6 million cattle were driven up the Chisholm Trail, which was once considered to be one of the wonders of the western world. The Trail crisscrossed across Texas from Fort Worth up through Oklahoma and into Kansas in the largest man made migration of animals in history.
Duncan, the Heart of the Chisholm Trail, is a proud location along the route through Oklahoma. Duncan and the surrounding area have preserved the western heritage of the trail in many ways. From the museums to actual trail ruts, come see how the cowboys lived and cattle roamed.
Bob Klemme of Enid, Oklahoma, with a little help from his friends marked the Chisholm Trail across Oklahoma with 400 concrete signposts with white markers that indicate where the Chisholm Trail historically crossed sections lines. We have many of these markers to route the trail that crossed diagonally through Duncan. You’ll find the full route in green on the map to your left. You can also visit the markers located throughout the area.
We encourage you to visit the “On the Chisholm Trail” bronze statue by Paul Moore located at the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center. Standing nearly 15 feet high and almost 35 feet across, this majestic work of art is truly a monument to the American cowboy and that era in time.
The Chisholm Trail Heritage Center has Chisholm Trail 150 memorabilia available, including 150th celebratory mug, wooden ornament, bandana, pin, and engraved pocket knife. You’ll find the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center at 1000 Chisholm Trail Parkway, Duncan, OK. You may also visit their website at www.onthechisholmtrail.com.
Visit ChisholmTrail150.org, a website dedicated to detailing the history of the Chisholm Trail and promoting all the special events and attractions up and down the trail in 2017.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Along with a number of other cities on the trail, Duncan will host a number of events to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Chisholm Trail in 2017.
To kick-off the 150th anniversary, the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center will host a CT150 Cowboy Camp. The performance by Wallace Moore, who will portray a historic cowboy, will begin at 10:00 AM and end at 2:00 PM on April 1, 2017. The come and go event will be held at the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center at 1000 Chisholm Trail Parkway.
The following weekend on April 8th, join the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center for an evening of entertainment and Chisholm Trail nostalgia at the Chisholm Trail 150th Celebration Silent Auction and Gala. The event is scheduled from 5:00-6:00 pm with an Open House for the public at the center and then those with reservations will move at 6:00-10:00 PM to the Simmons Center, located at 800 Chisholm Trail Parkway, for the gala. A reservation is required to attend the gala. More info is available at the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center at (580) 252-6692.
Later in the summer, join the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center to celebrate cowboy history with the annual National Day of the Cowboy on July 22 from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. Attendees will have the chance to see the 4D Experience Theater, watch animatronic Jesse Chisholm near the campfire, listen to live music and meet special guests. The 2017 National Day of the Cowboy event will focus on celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Start of the Chisholm Trail and is free to the general public that day.
To round out the 150th celebration in Duncan, you’ll find the theatrical performance and discussion of songs from the All-American Playbook discussing the 1800’s and the American West. The performance and review is scheduled for July 23 from 3:00-4:30 PM at the Simmons Center.
