Table of Contents
Why does OKC have an area called the stockyards?
Welcome to Stockyards City. A tract of land west and across the river south from the downtown area was obtained and the company began selling lots to raise money, matching the gifts pledged by individuals.
What was the largest stockyard in the world?
Located within historic Stockyards City, the Oklahoma National Stockyards is the largest stocker/feeder cattle market in the world.
Was Oklahoma City a cow town?
One of the hidden gems, located just west of downtown, is the Oklahoma City Stockyards. This area began as a cattle trading and packing post over 100 years ago. It was the first major industrial effort in the city and provided a significant boost in jobs. The stockyards gave birth to the community surrounding the area.
Who owns the Oklahoma City Stockyards?
Founded in 1910, the Oklahoma National Stockyards has a tremendous history of family owned companies. The Stockyards Company, many of the Commission firms as well as the cattle buying companies, are currently held by third, fourth or even fifth generation families.
Where is the largest stockyard?
Stockyard City is the home of the largest stocker/feeder cattle market in the world. Since its inception, more than 102,000,000 head of livestock have passed through the iron gates leading to the Stockyards operation. Cattle auctions are held Monday and Tuesday each week.
Why are the stockyards famous?
Today, the Fort Worth Stockyards are on the National Register of Historic Places. The historic district is home to famous boot-making companies, western-themed stores, stagecoaches, museums, cattle drives, rodeos, kid’s activities, and cowboy cuisine — and that’s just for starters.
Why did Chicago stockyards close?
Its decline was due to further advances in post–World War II transportation and distribution. Direct sales of livestock from breeders to packers, facilitated by advancement in interstate trucking, made it cheaper to slaughter animals where they were raised and excluded the intermediary stockyards.
What county in Oklahoma has the most cattle?
Osage County. Osage County is known for being one of the largest cattle-producing counties in the state and is home to several nationally known ranches, including the famous Drummond Ranch.
What was life like on cattle drives?
Life on the trail was long and lonely. Most drives lasted 3-5 months depending on the distance they needed to travel and delays they experienced along the way. A typical drive could cover 15-25 miles per day. Although it was important to arrive at their destination on time, the cattle needed time to rest and graze.
When was the stockyards created?
Our Story – Fort Worth Stockyards. Established at the fork of the Trinity River in 1849 by Major Ripley Arnold, the Fort Worth Stockyards represented the last “civilized” outpost for cowboys driving cattle to market along the famous Chisholm Trail.
What is the meaning of Stockyards?
Definition of stockyard : a yard for stock specifically : one in which transient cattle, sheep, swine, or horses are kept temporarily for slaughter, market, or shipping.
What happened to the Kansas city Stockyards?
Business dropped off dramatically after the Great Flood of 1951 which devastated the stockyards and associated businesses and slaughterhouses. After the flood, the stockyards never recovered. The stockyards straddled the state line across the Kansas river with two thirds of it in Kansas and one third in Missouri.
What neighborhood did most of the Stockyards workers live in?
Workers and unions Following the opening of the new Union Stockyards on December 25, 1865, a community of workers began living in the area just west of the packing plants between Ashland Avenue and South Robey Street and bounded on the north by 43rd Street and on the south by 47th Street.
What state has more cows than humans?
South Dakota has the most cattle per person in the United States followed by Nebraska and Montana. South Dakota has the most cattle per person in the United States followed by Nebraska and Montana. South Dakota has more than 4 times as many cattle as they do people. Nine (9) states have more cattle than people.
How much cattle went through the Kansas City Stockyards?
As World War I entered its final fateful months, the Kansas City stockyards handled more than 55,000 cattle in a single day and 475,000 for the month. That fall, during a remarkable three-month span, more than 1.3 million cattle passed through the city’s yards.
Why did OKC have a stockyards?
Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce officials wanted to add their city to others that prospered with stockyards.
Do stockyards still exist in the US?
Nine commission companies still operated, but 99 percent of sales were by auction. The Oklahoma National Stockyards remained as one of half a dozen large stockyards in the United States (from more than two dozen originally) that survived to the twenty-first century. Most closed because of direct purchases made at feedlots or by video sales.
When did the stockyards become the largest cattle market?
When the number of saleable cattle soared to 919,280 head in 1973, the stockyards took the nation’s lead. Today the stockyards remains the world’s largest stocker and feeder cattle market. From the beginning of this growing industry, a supporting community of goods and services was established.
How many head of cattle are in a stockyard?
When the number of saleable cattle soared to 919,280 head in 1973, the stockyards took the nation’s lead. Today the stockyards remains the world’s largest stocker and feeder cattle market.