The American West (c1835-c1895): Cattle Barons

Cattle barons is the name given to the small number of men who dominated the cattle industry in the late 19^th century. Throughout the 1870’s, the beef market continued to grow.

The cattle industry was seen as an easy way to make money because, if you kept your herd on the open range, costs were low due to the free grass, cheap land and cheap transportation. It was most profitable to own huge ranches with enormous herds.

Consequently, a few cattle barons dominated the industry. They were so influential that they influenced local politics in new territories like Colorado and Wyoming.