Cowtown

Fort Worth got the name "Cowtown" for the millions of head of cattle that passed through as they were herded north (over 4 million between 1866 and 1890). It was the last major stop for rest and supplies on the Chisholm trail to Kansas and the rails there. After the railroad arrived in Ft. Worth, it became a major shipping point itself, leading to the construction of The Ft. Worth Stockyards in 1877.

There are a number of interesting historical buildings in town, as well as restaurants, shopping and all the standard trappings of "old town" anywhere, but with a western twist. Cowtown Coliseum's 100th Anniversary was today, so we got to hear the mayor say a few words before the daily cattle drive down the main street. Later, we went to a rodeo at the coliseum. Here are all its firsts:

1908 - First Exhibition Round-up of Cattle ever held under a roof in the United States.

1908 - First Night Horse Show in the United States

1918 - World's First Indoor Rodeo

1923 - World's First Live Radio Broadcast of a Rodeo

1934 - Bull Riding Introduced to the world of Rodeo

The sculpture above shows Bill Pickett, the first black cowboy to be inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame. He was a top act at the coliseum. He was the first to introduce bulldogging to the masses. His trademark move was biting the lip of the steer to bring it under control (a move he picked up from the clever ranch dogs). Click here for pics.