Charles Goodnight
Goodnight, Armstrong County, Texas
Marker Inscription
(1836-1929) Texas Ranger, Indian fighter. At 19, on way to California gold fields, saw ranching possibilities. Settled and started ranch in Palo Pinto County, 230 miles southeast of here. In Civil War, scout, guide and hunter for Frontier Regiment, Texas Cavalry, protecting settlers from Indian raids and Federal invasion. With Oliver Loving, moved cattle herds across arid west Texas and New Mexico lands dominated by Comanche Indians, establishing Goodnight-Loving Trail northeast to U.S. forts. Founded old Goodnight College. (1964)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Charles Goodnight glimpsed the promise of ranching at nineteen while crossing Texas bound for the California gold fields, and turned back to build a cattle empire. During the Civil War he scouted for the Frontier Regiment of Texas cavalry, guarding settlers against raids, and afterward he and partner Oliver Loving blazed the Goodnight-Loving Trail across the arid, Comanche-dominated lands of West Texas and New Mexico to supply distant forts. A legendary cattleman and Indian fighter, he also founded Goodnight College before his death in 1929.
Why it matters
Goodnight is one of the towering figures of the American cattle frontier, and the trail he pioneered opened the great era of Texas cattle drives that stocked the West and fed the growing nation.
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Related people
- · Charles Goodnight
- · Oliver Loving
Related events
- · Goodnight-Loving Trail
Themes & tags
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