Fort Worth Stockyards

It’s longhorns on parade!  For more than a decade now, Fort Worth cowboys have wrangled a tame, albeit unwieldy, heard of Texas longhorn cattle down the streets of the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards. It’s part of a kind of renaissance the Stockyards have undergone over the last few years. The drive is designed to stir the ghosts of the Stockyards’ past by recalling at time back in the last century when it was the hub of livestock commerce.

Like a little bit of longhorn cardio, the cattle are slowly driven out of their pin at the northeast end of the Stockyards twice ever day and herded along East Exchange Avenue. The herd travels past the Fort Worth Livestock Exchange Building and then back to their holding pens.

Officially called the Fort Worth Herd, the longhorns belong to Fort Worth (also known as Cowtown). The cattle drive is a living reminder of how ranchers used to get their live stock to the Exchange before trucks and trains took over the transportation of livestock.

Before and after each drive, visitors can hustle up to the longhorn viewing stand located just behind and to the east of the livestock exchange building. There, patrons can watch the longhorns relaxing in the sun and cooling off with a bit of a spritz from the running water sprinkler.

Just before a drive begins, the cattle seem to instinctively know it’s time for the drive. They start to stand and assemble, giving their attention to the cowboys gathered at the end of the pen.

The cowboys driving the longhorns are volunteers with a group called Outriders of the Fort Worth Herd. These individuals bring their skills and often a long family history of working with cattle.

Sometimes the cowboys will make it over to the viewing stand to water their horses before the drive. It’s a good chance to ask them questions and listen to them tell their stories. Some will recall what the Stockyards were like when they were young and the Stock Exchange was still a vital place of agricultural business.  

Although the drive itself is brief, it is a majestic site. It brings history books to life for kids of all ages.

The cattle hit the red bricks of Exchange Avenue at 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. every day. The only days the cattle don’t walk are Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Sometime inclement weather will also delay or cancel a drive.

HelloMetro Tips:

Any spot along East Exchange Avenue starting at the Livestock Exchange Building is good for viewing the cattle as it saunters down the road. But, for the most up-close and personal view, try finding a spot just at the end of the cattle ramp directly across the street from the main entrance to Stockyard Station.

Even though the cattle drive is free to watch, it’s a good idea to bring along extra cash to buy refreshments and go shopping in Stockyard Station after the drive.

As for parking, there are several options along Exchange Avenue. Most of them are pay lots that cost $5. However, for those who don’t mind walking just a few extra feet, there’s a free lot at the end of Exchange Avenue, which just happens to be the closest lot to the ramp the cattle exit to begin the drive. Just past Habanero's Mexican Cantina on the right towards the end of Exchange, there are signs for the free lot.

During the summer months wear cool and light clothing, plus a (cowboy)hat and sunscreen.
 

- by Jenn Emerson, Fort Worth Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)