Branding calves at John Moore Ranch in Fort Bend County, c. 1920s. (Fort Bend County Museum Association)
Ben Kinchlow in 1937, age 89. (Library of Congress)
Calvin Bell (Galveston County Historical Commission 1867 Settlement Historic District Collection)
Frank Bell, Jr. (Galveston County Historical Commission 1867 Settlement Historic District Collection)
Rodeo, 1950 (Galveston County Historical Commission 1867 Settlement Historic District Collection)
Butler Longhorn Museum in League City.
The 1867 Settlement Historic District, the only Reconstruction-era African American community in Galveston County, was established by a group of formerly enslaved African American cowboys. While employed by the nearby Butler Ranch, land was purchased with money earned in part by driving cattle up the Chisholm Trail. Interpretative kiosks are located throughout the district.
Take a short drive to League City and visit the Butler Longhorn Museum, which tells the story of the Butler Ranch and Milby Butler’s efforts to conserve the Texas Longhorn through selective breeding.
1867 Settlement Historic District
Butler Longhorn Museum