Tag: nature

The Texas longhorn: Colorful. Distinct. Expensive.


The origin of the name? Their distinct, pronounced long horns. Long horns which can exceed 8 feet in width. From tip to tip.

Bulls weigh between 1,500 to 2,000 pounds. Cows weigh less. On average, 1,000 pounds. 

The Texas longhorn.

Texas longhorn color is unique to the breed. Texas longhorn colors vary. And vary they do. Quite a bit. 

Just about four-out-of-ten Texas longhorns proudly wear their light red coat. The Texas longhorn coat might also be black. Or yellow. Or brown. Or white. Or brindle. The Texas longhorn coat could also be blue. Blue, that is, with a gray-ish tint.

At auction, the color category of the Texas longhorn have bestows a distinct identity.With rarity in color for the Texas longhorn correlating to a higher price fetched at auction. 

Facing near-extinction one hundred years ago, thinning during the 1960’s to a dangerously-low head count, while today the Texas longhorn is primarily found in Texas, the breed confidently grazes – no longer facing extinction – on ranches throughout the United States. A “trophy” on any ranch.

Long, long ago, the Texas longhorn was known as “Texas cattle.” Ancestors of “Texas cattle?” “Mexican cattle.”

Descendants of the Texas longhorn were first introduced to North America during the 1400’s. Finding their way here, thanks to Spanish explorers. The introduction of the Texas longhorn to our prairies dates back to the days of Christopher Columbus. To the days when Columbus led his expedition to the Americas.

With regard to the introduction of the Texas longhorn to North America, the Texas longhorn came ashore in Mexico. From Mexico, as Spanish explorers ventured north into what would go on to become Texas, the Texas longhorn accompanied Spaniards on their northern ventures. Hence, the introduction of “Mexican cattle” to a territory which would one day go on to become Texas.

Cattle brought to North America by Spaniards. “Mexican cattle” led north to Texas. “Mexican cattle” renamed “Texas cattle.” “Texas cattle” renamed “Texas longhorns.”

As more Spanish settlements in the Americas took hold, as the number of settlements established in the Americas by additional European countries grew, so too did grow cattle head count on the continent. Head count for the Texas longhorn increased.

Spaniards reached today’s Texas by the end of the 17th Century. With Spaniards arriving in Texas, along too, came their longhorns. 

The Texas longhorn footprint expanded. North into Texas. To the east, into Louisiana. 

As cattle head increased, inevitably, some head were bound to escape from captivity. And escape, some did.

Found among escaping Spanish cattle in Texas, our foundation for the history of the Texas longhorn in the United States begins.

Escaping longhorns…

The Texas Longhorn roamed Texas – roaming freely, upon their escape from captivity – through the final days of the 19th Century. At which time, the cattle industry changed Texas longhorn fate.

Late in the 19th Century, the Texas longhorn began to be rounded up en masse. Rounded up and loaded onto rail cars. To be shipped off. Shipped north, that is. To Kansas City slaughterhouses.

Ten-year totals for head of cattle shipped north to slaughterhouses during the last decades of the 1800’s exceeded 5,000,000 head. Over 5,000,000 head of cattle shipped north, per decade.

Those prairies the Texas longhorn escaped to were perfect for grazing. Upon the escape of the Texas longhorn from captivity, the Texas longhorn was not alone on the prairie. The longhorn had company.

The Texas longhorn escaped to what had been “bison country.” In “bison country” the Texas longhorn lived free as, as the bison’s neighbor. Bison and the Texas longhorn, alongside one another for centuries. 

That neighborly existence of bison and longhorn began in the 15th Century. When the longhorn was first brought to the western hemisphere. Brought from Europe. Aboard Spanish ships. 

In the 15th Century, longhorn count in North America had been low. North American settlement by Europeans – as well as the introduction of cattle to North America – was in its infancy.

Fast forward a few hundred years to the Texas longhorn’s prime. The last days of the 19th Century. 

As the 19th Century drew to a close, that “bison country” the Texas longhorn escaped to was subjected to an extermination. This was an extermination at the hands of the United States government.

In the late 1800’s, “bison country” was in the process of being cleared. Cleared of bison. Cleared by the government of the United States.

United States prairies cleared of bison. This, a concerted effort undertaken by the United States to rid the western corridor of the country of the primary food source of Native Americans. Native Americans, whom the United States government was intent on removing from their land, hunted bison. Eliminating the bison. Eliminating Native Americans. Opening up the west for United States expansion.

The Texas longhorn thrived in “bison country” when they arrived. The Texas longhorn thrived in “bison country” for hundreds of years. Thriving alongside bison.

The removal of the Texas longhorn’s competition for rich prairie grasses – this removal being the extermination of bison by the United States government – as the Civil War was coming to a close led to what would turn into the United States’ southwest becoming blanketed by cattle. 

Head count of cattle increased. Head count of the Texas longhorn increased. 

Prime years which encompassed the run for the Texas longhorn as a major contributor to the economy of Texas – and to bottom lines for Kansas City slaughterhouses – would be late in the 18th Century through the first two decades of the 20th Century. 

By the 1920’s, the United States southwest was undertaking a notable increase in private property ownership. Private property, that is, which would now be fenced off. 

The increase in private land ownership by individuals in Texas – as well as in the United States’ southwest – by the 1920’s substantially curtailed the Texas longhorn’s once unimpeded access to thousands of acres of rich grassland. The Texas longhorn’s food source – that open grassland – was significantly altered. 

Between 500,000 to 1,000,000 head of cattle were shipped by train from Texas to Kansas City annually during the latter days of the 19th Century. 

By the mid-1960’s there were fewer than 2,000 Texas longhorns in the United States. Total.

Once nearly wiped from existence entirely, today, Texas longhorn head count exceeds 300,000. 

The reemergence of the Texas longhorn in Texas, as well as on privately-owned ranches throughout the United States, firmly re-established.

Today, if you are looking to purchase one Texas longhorn, you can expect to write a check for between $2,000 to $5,000. At a minimum.

For breeds of the Texas longhorn, breeds with a horn width considered to be wide, tip-to-tip (T2T), the price paid for one head will increase. The wider the T2T, the higher the price for one Texas longhorn.

The color of a Texas longhorn also affects its price. 

The coat of the Texas longhorn sports an interesting array of desirable color coordinations. 

Three Texas longhorn coat categories have traditionally been acknowledged to be the most highly-sought after: 1) White Roan, 2) Brindle, and 3) Grulla.

The Texas longhorn with the White Roan coat also possesses a red-ish pigment. Influenced by a roan gene. The result? The Texas longhorn whose coat is blue-ish in color. 

The Texas longhorn with the Brindle coat? That Texas longhorn will own vertical black stripes.

The Texas longhorn with the Grulla coat? That Texas longhorn would be silver-ish in color. 

Should you decide to purchase one Texas longhorn, one whose genetic history can be documented to be of “championship pedigree,” that $2,000 to $5,000 check you’d write to buy one head would increase. Increase substantially. To a few hundred thousand dollars. For one head.

The top price paid for one Texas longhorn?  $700,000.

The Navesink and Red Bank


Fine arts and galleries. World class gourmet. Performing arts. The International Beer, Wine and Food Festival. The Guinness Oyster Festival. Red Bank.

And on the north side of this charming Monmouth County town, we find the Navesink River. Eight miles in length, the Navesink is the result of a confluence. This confluence being, the Swimming River and several smaller streams. One of the tributaries of the Navesink River is Shrewsbury River.

The Navesink River and Red Bank. We’ll revisit their longstanding relationship after a trek through Red Bank history. This relationship between a river and a settlement is tantamount to how Red Bank came to be.

The borough of Red Bank derives its name from red soil discovered on banks of the Navesink. Red banks. Red Bank.

A riverside town of just about 13,000 residents, Red Bank’s history was written through receipts received for benefits attributed to the river which touched that settlement’s red banks.

Our Red Bank story goes back to the 17th Century. To long before Red Bank became a town. To long before Red Bank became a borough.

Red Bank as a borough…

Red Bank became a borough in 1908. Created through an act of the New Jersey legislature.

Red Bank as a town…

Red Bank’s history as a town predates its formation as a borough. By thirty-eight years. In 1860 the town of Red Bank was formed. Formed from parts of Shrewsbury Township.

A land sale, a deed, a river and red banks. A land sale consisting of three acres which extended to the “red bank” of the Navesink River established boundaries for a settlement.

A settlement which became a town. A town which became a borough. Red Bank.

Then too, this three acre land purchase in 1736 constituted the naming of Red Bank. “Three acres extending to the red bank of the Navesink River.”

A land purchase. A deed description. And red banks along the Navesink.

Our Red Bank beginning as a trading post…

Red Bank became a trading post ten years after the town of Red Bank had been formed in 1860. In 1870 Red Bank became a trading post.

Red Bank during the 17th Century…

Two hundred years prior to Red Bank’s incorporation as a town, in the 17th Century, European settlers were drawn to this location nearby two rivers – the Navesink and the Shrewsbury.

English and Dutch settlers established trade relationships with Native Americans along these red banks. Native Americans who themselves found favor setting up camp along the Navesink.

The Lenapehoking were Native American tribes who lived in Lenape territory on the Navesink. Lenape territory included this area along the Navesink. As well as land located in what today is New York City, eastern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware. Land along the Navesink which was hunted and fished by Lenape was Navarumsunk.

As English and Dutch arrived in this settlement, Lenape found their new European neighbors to be capable trading partners.

Aside from their ability to set up trade networks with Native Americans, English settlers brought with them familiarity with an industry which had been a “national champion” in Great Britain. Shipbuilding.

In the earliest days of Red Bank, shipbuilding was formative to the local economy. A shipbuilding industry pioneered by English settlers took hold. Developing as the result of a natural circumstance: this was a settlement alongside a navigable waterway.

Through their ability to navigate the Navesink, English shipbuilders benefitted from a fast-growing economy in Manhattan.

As Manhattan’s economy developed around textiles, the Navesink became a convenient channel through which ships coming from Red Bank could reach Manhattan. A trade route, facilitating the transportation of Manhattan textiles.

Come the early part of the 19th Century, as the economy in this region matured, Red Bank shipbuilders found a new beneficiary: those who traveled from Red Bank to Manhattan.

Early on, textiles, tanning and furs produced in Manhattan served as “passengers” onboard ships built in Red Bank. The movement of textiles. Along the Navesink.

During the 19th century, as the populations of New Jersey and New York City grew, as the economies of New Jersey and New York City grew, Red Bank shipbuilders adapted to the changing economy. Transitioning from building ships exclusively to serve the textile industry to building ships to serve the textile industry and commuters. Commuters being, passengers traveling from Red Bank to Manhattan.

One hundred years after that deed recording which noted “three acres extending to the red banks of the Navesink River,” steamboats enter our Red Bank story.

In 1809, regularly scheduled steamboat service going from Red Bank to Manhattan was available.

By the mid-1800’s, traveling to New York City from Red Bank by steamboat became a mainstay. Steamboats could be seen chugging along the Navesink.

Steamboat travel on the Navesink enjoyed a one hundred year run. The very last steamboat set sail from Red Bank in 1931.

Today, the Navesink sits as a beautiful piece within the “Red Bank collection.”

Yesterday, the Navesink sat as the mechanism on which Red Bank’s development was based.

Red Bank and the Navesink. Partners today. Partners yesteryear. Partners for over 400 years.

Wichita, Kansas


During the latter part of the 19th Century, at the Kansas end of the Texas-to-Kansas Chisholm Trail, an unruly establishment arose from the dusty streets of this frontier town.

This frontier town, located just outside of Wichita. A town, laden with gambling and gun fights. A place where saloons and brothels far outnumbered any churches. At the Kansas end of our Chisholm Trail, this raucous town was a place where cowboys – weary from long cattle drives – could rest up. Enjoy their bourbon. Gamble. Before embarking on their return trip, along the Chisholm Trail. This congregation of cowboys at the northern end of our Chisholm Trail was a Kansas town known to be Delano.

Let’s look at how this town, situated on the western banks of the Arkansas River, came to be.


The emergence of Delano traces its origin to what had been a convergence in the 1870’s. Our convergence being, an overabundance of cattle in Texas. Coupled to a shortage of cattle on the East Coast. 

As one part of the country – Texas – had more than enough cattle, while another part of the country – the East Coast – had a shortage of cattle, a business opportunity presented itself. Hence, our Chisholm Trail. Hence, Jesse Chisholm.


Arising from the business of moving Texas cattle up to Wichita, then over to the East Coast, we find our catslyst for the growth of Delano.

To optimize this opportunity in the cattle business, Jesse Chisholm realized that the establishment of a trail starting out in Texas, and ending up in Wichita, would enable cattle to be transported. First, to Wichita. Then, to the East Coast.

Delano was built around the cattle industry in Wichita. Delano’s growth, made possible because of Jesse Chisholm’s 500-plus mile trail. A “cattle highway” which began in San Antonio.

Attributed to the growth of Wichita’s cattle industry, cowboys trekked into Wichita. Wichita was the established city next to Delano which had rules, a sheriff, laws, and a jail. Delano had no such checkpoints. 

As our convergence of cowboys, cattle drives and the Chisholm Trail – coupled to a Wichita with rules – grew, growing around the shipment of cattle off to the East Coast from Wichita, so too did Delano grow.

The growth of Delano took place lock step with the growth of Wichita.


Cattle drives from Texas, ending up in Wichita. Wichita cattle, then transported by rail to the East Coast. And in that…we have our inputs which triggered Delano’s stature during the 1870’s.


Facilitating the growth of Wichita’s cattle industry, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad routes were extended to Wichita in 1882. Access to the ability to now transport cattle by rail increased Wichita’s capacity to ship cattle to the East Coast. Wichita became “Cowtown.” 

Just across the Arkansas River from Cowtown, cowboys enjoyed their bourbon. And their gambling. With no sheriff. With no jail. In Delano.

Delano, the perfect “wild west city.” With no law enforcement. With no sheriff. With no jail. With saloons. With brothels. With gambling. The perfect watering hole for Wichita cowboys who traveled the Chisholm Trail.

Today, the Historic Delano District in Wichita is a trendy neighborhood with restaurants and shopping. Wichita annexed Delano in 1880.

Through Delano’s annexation by Wichita, as 1870’s came to a close, Delano was no longer an independent town. Becoming West Wichita. Delano adopted Wichita’s rules.

Delano, as a raucous playground for cowboys – with no sheriff, with no jail – was no more. 

Bluestone


Bluestone is a natural stone…domestic to the United States. First discovered in New York State during the 1820’s, many a pool setting – many an outdoor kitchen – is adorned in the beauty of Bluestone. 

Bluestone – removed from the ground by either drilling, blasting or excavating – is weather-resistant. With its aesthetic bluish – greyish tone, the ornate features of Bluestone anoint this “American sarsen”as a popular selection when it comes to outdoor living, and hardscaping. Having led to the ascension of Bluestone as the stone-of-choice for millions of homeowners who embark upon the fun task of crafting a customized design plan for their new patio. For their new outdoor kitchen. Or for their new walkway.  

Bluestone is a type of flagstone. A fine-grained variation of flagstone.


So, what then is flagstone?

Flagstone is the broad term for sedimentary rock that is able to be split into flat, rectangular pieces.

Sedimentary rock – I.e: flagstone – is formed through an accumulation of deposits. Formed by the fusion of particles. Particles brought together by waterways. For example, by the natural flow of a river. 


“Flagstone” is derived from Middle English vernacular… it’s birth traced back to the Old English word, flagge. Which means, turf.

Flagstone is a form of a sandstone. The composition of flagstone? Fieldspar and quartz. 

Bluestone is flagstone. Flagstone is a form of sandstone.

So, what then is sandstone?

Sandstone is sedimentary rock, composed of grains of sand. Grains of sand nature has cemented together. While sandstone grains are adjoined, the grains in sandstone remain unfused.


Sandstone can be seen alongside rivers, lakes and coastlines. Areas where sand has been carried and deposited. Deposited sand – over time – leads to the formation of sandstone.

Flagstone – which mostly will be either red, buff or blue in color – is bound together by iron oxide. Or by calcite. 

The state in which Bluestone was first discovered early in the 19th Century – New York State – is one of the two states which supply the majority of the Bluestone Americans rely upon when it comes to hardscape design. The other state being, New York’s neighbor, Pennsylvania.

Bluestone is also excavated in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.


Today, there are a just a tad under 100 Bluestone quarries in New York State.