Chisum, John S.

(1824-1884) On this site during the Civil War and later, grazed by tens of thousands the Longhorns of cattle baron John S. Chisum. Ranch headquarters were 10 miles east. Here in 1863-1865, Chisum not only ranched but also was buyer of cattle to feed Confederate armies stationed west of the Mississippi River. Born in Tennessee, he came to the Republic of Texas in 1837. After a term as Lamar County clerk, started ranching in 1853. For room to expand, moved his well known "Jingle - Bob" herds to the Concho in 1863. Though he was not the man who gave the name to the famed northbound trail (this was Jesse Chisolm) John S. Chisum's drives were heroic. Herds bound in wartime for Louisiana army camps had to by-pass or to fight Indians, rustlers and occasionally a federal patrol. Concho cattle had to swim across the deep, cold Brazos River. Here cowboys would prod a heavy, wild bull till he was angry; then he would turn on men and horses. Or the Brazos itself killed men and horses. Still beef went through to the Confederates. After the war, Chisum developed ranches in New Mexico and was a bystander in the Lincoln County Wars of Billy the Kid and other desperados. (1965)

Chisum, John S. is a historical marker in Paint Rock vicinity, Concho County, dedicated in 1965. It is one of 16 historical markers documented in Concho County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 24 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 31.5569, -99.9211 near Paint Rock vicinity. The nearest cataloged historic site is Largest Pictograph Site in Texas (historical marker), about 2.3 miles away. Others within a short drive include Concho County, Concho County Courthouse, and First Methodist Church of Paint Rock.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5095002808. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.