Texas Cattle, Dallas

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When I was in Dallas at the Convention Center in 1997, I saw this park and took some pictures here. One of them is on my Dallas Intro page.

It is Pioneer Plaza, the world's largest bronze sculpture of its kind and it depicts a cattle drive of 3 cowboys and 50 steers. Each piece was created by artist Robert Summers of Glen Rose, TX. This 4.2-acre plaza in front of City Hall and the Convention Center at Young and Griffin Streets was originally the site of the Shawnee Cattle Trail, begun in 1854.

Fort Worth is really the 'cow town' in this area - Dallas OTOH is major center for oil and gas. Therefore, some felt that this sculpture was inappropriate to be in Dallas. But when in 1991, local businessman and philanthropist, Trammell Crow decided that this was the site for this park he apparently overruled all opposition.

There is a small parking lot at this park (which is free). Touching the bronzes is discouraged (and if it is hot, you will only try it once) and sitting on them is not allowed.

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The Dallas Convention center and Pioneer Plaza, with the sculpture group featuring 70 Texas longhorn steers was the brainchild of developer Trammel Crow. Some felt that it promoted the 'cow town' image which really belonged to Fort Worth, and whereas Dallas was a sophisticated financial center. (There was a similar outcry when Tex Schramm named the football team the Cowboys.) But the $4 million in construction costs were paid by a private foundation, so Trammel Crow got his way.

Except for Pioneer Plaza though, longhorns are most readily seen in Fort Worth.

These are some cows that roam by my house in Texas.

You will have to enlarge the picture as they are far away, not too social.

I hope they do not have MAD COW disease!

Many Texas ranchers are worried, we supply Mexico, Canada and many international countries with the finest meat.

NOTE: No cattle in Texas have been found to have MAD COW disease.

This is the WORLDS LARGEST bronze monument with Seventy Texas Longhorn steers being driven by 3 cowboys on horseback.

It is located downtown Dallas!

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Near the Convention Center (Downtown), there is a large sculpture showing the count of the cattle by the cow boys.
There are 50 longhorns and 3 cow boys on their horses.
Very surprising.