The Florida Cracker The Florida Cracker Trail Ride: Preserving Trail Ride: Preserving Florida’s Horse and Florida’s Horse and

Cattle HeritageCattle HeritageTara M. Minton

Coordinator of Economic Analysis

University of Florida/IFAS

Drawing of Florida cowman, Bone Mizell, by Frederick Remington, 1895.

National Extension National Extension Tourism Conference Tourism Conference

20042004

Florida Florida Cattle Cattle

HistoryHistory

• Florida is America’s oldest cattle-producing state

• Ponce de Leon brought cows to Florida in 1521

• Cattle escaped & evolved into Florida’s “piney woods” cattle

• Knowledge of cattle spread during the 1700s through Spanish missionaries & Seminole Indians

• Cattle Barons reigned Florida in 1800s & early 1900s

Cattle Barons, Desoto County, FL early 1900s

Florida Florida CrackersCrackers

• Range was open, fences were not used until 1950s • Cowmen hunt for wild cattle in Florida’s thick woods

& brush…they are called cowhunters (not cowboys)• Use small cow ponies & well-trained cow dogs• 10-12 foot braided leather whips used to control

cattle…giving them the name “Florida Crackers”• Brands and ear marks used to distinguish cattle

Green Cove Springs, FL 1880s

The Cattle The Cattle DriveDrive

• Cattle were hunted and gathered into herds• Large herds were driven from all over the state to the

market on Florida’s West coast at Punta Rassa• Cattle were sold & loaded onto ships bound for Cuba• Cowmen would ride home together with saddlebags

full of Spanish gold doubloons

Florida Cattleman, 1890s

Punta Rassa, FloridaPunta Rassa, Florida• Cattle market• Near mouth of Tampa Bay• Prosperous cowtown• Pictures of hotel & wharf

at Punta Rassa

Hotel 1913

Wharf 1890s

Postcard

The Florida The Florida Cracker Trail Cracker Trail

RideRide

Re-enactment of the return ride cattlemen would make on horseback from Florida’s west coast

The Florida Cracker Trail had humble beginnings…

• 1987- Florida State Legislature designated the Trail

• First ride in May 1988

• Led by Roger Haney from Hardee County, small group of cowmen and their cow ponies rode across Florida from Bradenton to Ft. Pierce

• They just wanted to do it “for old times sake!”

……Now its an Annual Now its an Annual EventEvent

• I participated in the 2004 ride.• 17th Annual Cross-State Ride• 120 miles on horseback• Across 5 Florida counties• From Bradenton to Ft. Pierce• 120 participants

Photo by South Florida Water Management District

Cracker Trail route across Florida

Florida Cracker Trail Florida Cracker Trail AssociationAssociation

• FCTA Mission: to promote, maintain and enhance the natural beauty of the Florida Cracker Trail…that will showcase the natural beauty of our state…from the Atlantic to the Gulf of Mexico

• Main event: FL Cracker Trail Ride • FCTA also hosts or supports:

– quarterly meetings & rides– preservation of riding areas– equestrian therapy for the handicapped– special events

FCTA Website: FCTA Website: www.crackertrail.orgwww.crackertrail.org

Daily Events on the Daily Events on the TrailTrail

• Ride 17-22 miles each day

• All meals are catered

• Morning & afternoon rest breaks

• Lunch stop, move campers & trailers

• Night camp, dinner & evening entertainment

Evening EntertainmentEvening Entertainment

• Historical Storytelling• Folk Music• Cowhunter Poetry• Arena Games• Auction• Barn Dance• Awards Ceremony• Friday Dance with

Bonfire and Band Barn at Hickory Hammock Preservation currently being restored through a cooperative project with the FCTA & SFWMD.

EntertainmenEntertainment for Kidst for Kids

• Whip Cracking Lessons

• Whip Cracking Contest

• Steer Roping Contest

• Arena Games

• Historical Facts Quiz from “Mystery Riders”

• Prizes for Winners!

Many children give a report to their classmates when they return to school.

Cracker Trail Ride Participant Cracker Trail Ride Participant SurveySurvey

• February 22-28, 2004• Two-page questionnaire• Administered at evening camp near dinnertime• FCTA Board Members encouraged ride participants to

complete survey• 86 survey respondents• 72% response rate

Typical Ride ParticipantTypical Ride Participant• white, married female, 40-49 years old, lives in Florida

• high school diploma, annual income < $75,000

• heard about ride from a friend, has participated for 4 or more years

• enjoys spending time with friends, participates with 4 or more people, camps in horse trailer with sleeping quarters

Typical Ride Participant Typical Ride Participant (cont.)(cont.)

• feels ride is safe, is satisfied with ride fees, spends additional $175 mostly on vehicle items such as gasoline

• historical storytelling is favorite ride entertainment

• participates in other riding events & other FCTA events

• feels heritage preservation is important

Pictures from the trail!

Parade through Ft. Pierce, Parade through Ft. Pierce, FLFL

• Ride ends with parade through Ft. Pierce

• Commemorative saddle raffle• Riders mingle with spectators &

answer numerous questions• Lunch at local downtown restaurants

The Trail ends at the The Trail ends at the BeachBeach

Riders camp with horses at Ft. Pierce beach

Riders find time to put their feet up!

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

• UF/IFAS/Indian River REC

• Florida Cracker Trail Association

• Historical photos from Florida State Archives

• Current photos by Judge Nelson Bailey

Many thanks to…