NEWTON, Kan. — A cattle trail that ran through Newton in the 1800s could be added to the list of National Historic Trails.
U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran on Wednesday introduced legislation to designate the Chisholm Trail as a National Historic Trail (NHT). U.S. Rep. Ron Estes introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. The Chisholm Trail also ran through Caldwell, Wichita, Abilene and Ellsworth.
The Chisholm and the Western Trail that runs through Dodge City and other Kansas communities moved more than 10 million cattle across the country between 1885 and 1887, contributing to the economic growth of the towns and cities the trails passed through.
Designating these trails as NHT will permit the National Park Services to partner voluntarily with landowners, communities, state and local governments to maintain, conserve and promote the trails. These trails will join the 19 other designated historic trails across the nation, including five trails that run, in part, through Kansas.
This legislation includes protections for private property rights along the trails and cooperation by landowners or communities is strictly on a voluntary basis.