THE KING RANCH LEGACY IN TEXAS©

Captain Richard King’s domesticated longhorns, located on his vast South Texas Ranch of around 146,000 acres back in 1867, were some of the very first hoof stock to comprise the early northward Texas cattle drives.  

Getting these cattle to market was a real challenge, though, as some one thousand miles of dangerous wilderness stretched out between Captain King’s cattle and the midwestern railheads where they could be sold.

From 1867 to1884, the Chisholm Trail was the major livestock route out of Texas, during the "Beef Bonanza", traveling north to Kansas from the expansive King Ranch in South Texas.

From Texas State Historical Association: “Cattle drovers followed the old Shawnee Trail by way of San Antonio, Austin, and Waco, where the trails split. The Chisholm Trail continued on to Fort Worth, then passed east of Decatur to the crossing at Red River Station. It followed the same route as modern U.S. Highway 81 from Fort Worth to Newton, Kansas.”

King's Running W brand was first registered in 1869.  Some have said that it represents one of the ranch’s many diamondback rattlesnakes or the Santa Gertrudis Creek, while others are sure it signifies the sweeping horns of a Texas Longhorn bull. 

The Waco Suspension Bridge built during this time period, was constructed across the Brazos River for the primary purpose of moving cattle along the Chisholm Trail.

Captain King died in 1885, right after this period ended, but not before he had turned his efforts towards raising cattle in South Texas.

During the early 1900s, King Ranch made its name in animal husbandry. By crossbreeding Brahman bulls, native to India, with British Shorthorn stock, the ranch produced the Santa Gertrudis, recognized as the first American breed of beef cattle and the first cattle breed to be recognized in the world in more than a century. This breed of cattle continues to be recognized throughout the world for its fine beef quality and ability to withstand arid climates. Today, the Santa Gertrudis is the most prevalent cattle breed in Australia.

The "King Suite" at the historic Menger Hotel in San Antonio, is named after Captain King who stayed there frequently. As legends go, it is thought that he is still occupying that room, long after his death -- not surprising, since the Menger Hotel has a number of famous and infamous "residents" who have been "seen" wandering the hallways both day and night, and even sitting in one of the Menger's two Lobbies.

Conversely, although the dish known as the "King Ranch Casserole" may have been named for the King Ranch, the origin of the casserole is unclear, AND the King Ranch does not claim it.  (Besides, the casserole is made with chicken, not beef, and the King Ranch is known for beef, not chickens.)

Today, the King Ranch remains a thriving multi-faceted agribusiness enterprise, which offers daily tours and an onsite Museum.   It is still family-run by 6th generation decendants of Captain King, and all of the quarter-horses on the Ranch are descendants of King's own sorrel. For more info, link to: https://king-ranch.com/

Primary Research Source:  The King Ranch

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