The Chisholm Trail: Where Scottish Heritage Meets the American West

You can find many place names in Oklahoma that are Scottish in origin but perhaps none as impactful to the history of the American West as the Chisholm Trail. Stretching from Texas to Kansas, the Chisholm Trail took cattle drives through current day U.S. Highway 81 through El Reno, Duncan, Chickasha, and Enid.

The cattle trail was named after Jesse Chisholm, a fur trader who scouted and co-established the trail with his friend Black Beaver, a Lenape guide and rancher.

Jesse Chisholm was born on December 6, 1806 in Tennessee to a mixed heritage. His father, Ignatius Chisholm, was descended from the Scottish Highlanders, while his mother, Martha Stuart, was of Cherokee and Scots-Irish descent. Jesse grew up immersed in the diverse cultures of his Cherokee and Scottish roots. He became fluent in multiple Native American languages and established himself as a trusted trader and interpreter. Chisholm became known for his involvement in the cattle trade and played a crucial role in the development of the famous Chisholm Trail. It is estimated that over six million head of cattle were driven through Oklahoma over the life of the Chisholm Trail.

He died encamped near current day Watonga in March 1868 from food poisoning, sadly not seeing the impact that his and Black Beaver’s trail made in history. Chisholm was buried nearby and is immortalized with a large statue in downtown Kingfisher. It’s quite humorous that the name Chisholm is synonymous with cattle drives in the United States. In the Highlands, Clan Chisholm had become well known for cattle… raiding. In one instance in 1498, Wiland Chisholm of Comar helped carry off 56 oxen, 60 cows, 300 sheep, 80 swine, and 15 horses that belonged to Clan Rose.