Chisholm Trail Park
The Chisholm Trail was the historic cattle trail through central Texas that began in Fort Sumner in present-day New Mexico and ended near Abilene, Texas. It was established by African American pioneers between 1867 and 1871 and ran from beef-hungry markets in the eastern United States to railheads near Wichita Falls, Texas. Today, however, it is best known as the route used by thousands of draft horses each year for recreational drives or for competitive cowboy events. The names of some of these events are well known throughout central Texas: The Killeen Cowpoke Roundup, the Oaks Cultural Festival, and the Black Tie Western Event. These events are just a few of many rodeos held annually along the Chisholm Trail from Killeen to Abilene.
Chisholm Trail Park is a of in the city of Fort Worth, Texas. It is located west of downtown on Chisholm Avenue, west of Loop 820. The park contains seven historic neighborhoods: Chisholm Woods, Forest Glen, Hillcrest, Warwick Oaks, Woodridge, Rockledge and West Chase. It is one of the trail park you should visit near Belton area.
Chisholm Trail Park was established in 1975 with grants from the , and the City of Fort Worth. Originally the name referred to a trail used by many Indians that followed the north bank of Brush Creek from Mills Creek south to Lake Worth. The current park is divided into seven distinct areas spanning over 8 acres which are connected by pathways and trails around its perimeter. In 2016 a walking path was added for safety purposes connecting all seven neighborhoods. Each neighborhood has its own unique character as well as individual access points within the park system.
Chisholm Trail Park has an active board that works to maintain these historic sites while encouraging new development through revitalization projects such as revitalizing historic homes and businesses with grant funding efforts or partnerships with local nonprofits such as College Street Revitalization (CSR) or Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS). Several properties have been purchased through the Chisholm Trail Park Community Improvement Program which offers grants up to $5,000 towards historic rehabilitation expenses including architectural restoration and exterior repairs. There are also programs like Historic Neighborhood Grant (HNG) to make certain low-income residents aware about housing opportunity through renovations
It was named after trader Jesse Chisholm who opened the trail to Santa Fe in 1849. The Chisholm Trail ran from Indian Territory westward through central Texas and then north through what became Fort Worth. The Chisolm Trail received its name from Chisholm who had been captured by Comanches as a boy and raised by them for about 10 years before being adopted into a Wichita tribe.
Chisholms first caravan came over the western trail in 1849 when it was known as “Old Spanish Trail.” The Chisolms settled here in present day Fort Worth since it was close to the southern branch of their tribe’s hunting grounds. The area now known as Chisholm Trail Park was purchased by Houston businessman John Hurdle in 1945.