You’ve likely heard of the cattle trails running through Texas. One of those trails is the Chisholm Trail. Did you know you can access a piece of it in Waco, Texas? You can easily walk in the footsteps of the old cowboys right downtown crossing over the Brazos River on the Waco Suspension Bridge.
The bridge was built in 1870 and was part of the Chisholm Trail. It helped the cowboys and their herds cross the river safely, and was also a boon to the local economy. A toll was initially charged to cross it, which, as you can imagine, was very unpopular.
The bridge also served the distinction of being the “longest single-span suspension bridge west of the Mississippi.”
The Chisholm Trail ran from somewhere south of San Antonio (there is some dispute as to exactly where), north to Waco, and on up through Oklahoma, ending at Abilene, Kansas. Towards the end of its usage (around 1884) it stopped in Caldwell, Kansas (see our previous post about Caldwell.)
There seems to be a bit of confusion, discrepancy, and controversy over exactly who the trail was named after. But the most accepted – and most marked – credit goes to Jesse Chisholm.
He was born in Tennessee to a Scottish father and a Cherokee mother. Jesse ran a trade route along part of this trail. Later, the whole trail was somehow named after him.
Recognition of Jesse Chisholm can be found in several places along the trail. A great website celebrating the 150th year of the Chisholm Trail in 2017 shows all the locations of some of the tributes to Jess as well as other monuments and markers for events and activities that happened on the trail.
The trail was only used for less than 20 years – from 1867 to 1884, as the railroad expanded and made it easier to transport cattle rather than drive them long distances.
So now, one of the best places to stop on the old Chisholm Trail is a modern, comfortable area. Located in the middle of Waco with a multitude of restaurants and shopping, and bordered by two beautiful parks – Indian Spring Park on one side, Martin Luther King Jr. Park on the other. There is a nice flat riverwalk trail to get some fresh air and exercise. The bridge can only be crossed on foot now, so no worries about cars.
One of the most impressive aspects of this historical area is the bronze statues, called “Branding the Brazos,” where longhorn cattle and cowboys welcome you to the Suspension Bridge and to the trail.
The Waco Suspension Bridge was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. It was later closed for a couple of years for repair, maintenance, and remodeling. We were excited to attend the re-opening celebration in April of 2023.
When you get there, cross the bridge, stop, look up and down the river. It was likely even more beautiful back then, without all the city buildings. How thrilled they must have been with an easier way to cross with their cattle and keep them safe. Close your eyes and try to put yourself back in the 1800’s. It was a hard life, but they didn’t know any differently.
When you’ve soaked it all in, mosey on back into town and enjoy all of the modern amenities, things not available to those cowboys. Then give them a silent thank you for all their hard work to feed the country and create our proud history.
Set your map for 201 W. Waco Dr., Waco TX to find your way to the historic Waco Suspension Bridge.
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