The cattle drives of the late 19th century were a pivotal aspect of Nebraska's history, playing a significant role in the development of the state's agriculture and livestock industries. These massive livestock migrations, which often spanned hundreds of miles, typically originated in the southern United States, traversed the plains of Nebraska, and ultimately arrived at major railheads or markets in the north. One notable example of a cattle drive that traversed Nebraska is the Ogallala Trail, also known as the Western Trail, which began in Brownsville, Texas, and concluded at Ogallala, a town situated in the southwestern corner of Nebraska, close to the South Platte River.

The primary purpose of cattle drives was to relocate massive herds of cattle to more favorable grazing lands or markets, where they could be sold or slaughtered for beef. Many ranchers in the United States, particularly those in the southern states, struggled to access lucrative markets due to inadequate infrastructure. The advent of transcontinental railroads in the late 1860s greatly facilitated the transportation of livestock over long distances. Consequently, cattle drives flourished as the most practical means of delivering large herds of cattle to railroad towns. In Nebraska, prominent cattle towns such as Ogallala and Kearney played a crucial role in facilitating the transfer of livestock from cattle drives to railcars, bound for markets in Chicago, Kansas City, and other metropolitan areas.

Notable cattle drives also converged on major railroad hubs, such as Omaha, situated in the eastern part of Nebraska, along the Missouri River. One historic cattle drive that culminated in Omaha was the Chisholm Trail, which originated in the heart of Texas. Over the course of the late 1860s and 1870s, hundreds of thousands of head of cattle traversed the Kansas prairies and entered Nebraska via the southern edge of the state, eventually converging on the railhead at Omaha. From there, the cattle were loaded onto railroad cars and shipped to distant markets.

The intricacies of cattle drives entailed careful planning and effective execution, as wranglers and cowhands navigated inclement weather, elusive water resources, and rival gangs vying for control of valuable grazing lands. Expert maps and route-finding strategies were imperative for successful cattle drives. Captain John Jacobs, a seasoned cattleman and leader of the Ogallala Trail drives, relied on his intimate knowledge of Nebraska's terrain to steer his cattle drives across treacherous watersheds and unpredictable weather patterns.

Incidents of lawlessness, confrontation, and the rise of factions intent on controlling lucrative cattle trails often plagued cattle drives. Infamous figures such as Buffalo Bill Cody and William F. Cody's friend and associate,
Charles Goodnight, occasionally participated in Nebraska's cattle drives, overseeing livestock that had been stolen or attained through various means, contributing to the legacy of Nebraska's frontier era.

Throughout the late 19th century, as Nebraska continued to develop and cultivate more settled agricultural communities, the golden age of cattle drives eventually gave way to the more conventional practices of rail-based livestock transportation and ranching. Although not an immediate or abrupt shift, this transition allowed the state of Nebraska to transform from a prime transitory pathway into a major livestock producer.

Nebraska's cattle drives left an enduring legacy on the state's identity, people, and the land itself, while casting long-lasting social and environmental imprints on the Nebraska prairies. Many remnants of historic cattle drives in Nebraska serve as landmarks, standing as poignant reminders of the pivotal role they played in forging Nebraska's history.

Despite dwindling from existence in the late 19th century, the American experience and iconography that have evolved from these frontier endeavors render cattle drives perpetual symbols of a colorful American history, traveling decisively across Nebraska.