In 1540 and 41, Francisco Vasquez de Coronado led a Spanish Expedition to find the fabled Seven Cities of Cibola.  For this expedition he assembled 1,000 men and 1,500 horses and cattle.  He never found the gold he sought, but his moving of cattle across the Panhandle at this early date must surely qualify as the first trail drive in Texas.

"1750 Vaquero de Escandon"  Jose de Escandon was the founder of the first permanent settlements along the Rio Grande including the towns of Reynosa and Laredo and all of the lands between. His cowboys, or vaqueros, were well known for their skills, and their descendants are still very important to the Texas cattle industry.

 "1885 Trail Driver"  Black Texans have been important to the cattle industry from the 1830's to the present day.  Before the Civil War, cowboy slaves held positions of high esteem on many Texas ranches and plantations.  After the war, they readily fit into free society by qualifying for every job in the cow business from cook to trail boss.

"1854 Texas-California Trail Driver"  When gold was discovered in California, thousands of heads of Texas beef were driven across mountains and deserts to feed the gold-rushers.  The early-day trail driver traveled light, with all of his needs carried on his saddle or on a pack horse.  This cowboy's gear includes a Mother Hubbard saddle, dog-house stirrups, a gourd canteen and a Colt's '.51 Navy, cap-and-ball pistol.