The First Vaqueros of Texas

Celebrate National Cowboy Day Saturday, July 27

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  Vaquero shows off his skills with a lasso.

  Vaquero shows off his skills with a lasso.

Written by: U.S. Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas

When folks think of the American West, one individual often comes to mind: the cowboy. No other symbol embodies the same rugged individuality and dogged resilience, two traits Texans respect and admire. On July 27, Texans—and all Americans—will celebrate all this iconic figure stands for as we mark the National Day of the Cowboy.

This annual observance on the fourth Saturday in July was born out of the desire to honor cowboys and recognize their contributions to the expansion of the West. Texas officially recognized this date in 2015, but the Lone Star State has been celebrating it informally for much longer. President George W. Bush once remarked when declaring his support for the holiday, “We celebrate the Cowboy as a symbol of the grand history of the American West. The cowboy’s love of the land and love of the country are examples for all Americans.” While the modern cowboy is celebrated for these qualities, it’s important to recognize the historic roots of this iconic trailblazer, particularly in Texas.

In the early 1500s, the Spanish began to build ranches to raise cattle and other livestock to support their North American expansion over present-day Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico, which was the spark that later launched the venerable ranching industry in Texas. So, who were these early cowboys?

The original cowboys of Texas were known as vaqueros, who were trained by the Spaniards and were primarily of indigenous Mexican descent. The term “vaquero” comes from the Spanish word “ vaca ,” meaning cow. In fact, many of the words and phrases used by cowboys today are legacies of these original Texas cowboys. For instance, rodeo is a Spanish word, “ lazo ” gives us lasso, “ mesteño ” became mustang, and “dolly welter,” a term for wrapping a lasso around a saddle horn, comes from “ dale vuelta ,” meaning “give it a turn.”

The vaqueros not only established large ranches, but they were also known for their superior roping, riding, and herding skills. From braiding their ropes and creating lasso tricks to holding roping competitions, their top-notch skills laid the groundwork for the first rodeos. The vaqueros also began the tradition of branding to identify one's livestock and introduced essential riding equipment like saddles.

Additionally, we can see their influence in the clothing they wore. The use of chaps can be traced back to vaqueros’ leg coverings, called “ chaparreras, ” which were worn to protect against rough terrain during long days of horseback riding. They also wore sombreros, originating from the Spanish word “ sombra ,” or shade, to shield themselves from the blazing Texas sun. This later inspired the design of the modern cowboy hat.

To give you an example of the lasting influence of Texas cowboys, we can look to Francisco Garcia. During the American Revolution, General Bernardo de Gálvez, a supporter of the colonists who helped fight the British along the Texas coast, commissioned Garcia to deliver a message to then-Texas governor Domingo Cabello and ordered him to drive roughly 2,000 head of cattle to help feed the Spanish army. Garcia set off on his mission in San Antonio and journeyed along the Old Opelousas Trail, the Old Spanish Trail, and into New Orleans. This became the first organized cattle drive in Texas, initiating trade between Texas and Louisiana.

The vaqueros' influence on the ranching culture we know today is a testament to their enduring impact on the American West. As a result of their contributions over the centuries, the vaqueros helped build the economic foundation of cattle ranching today, which has propelled Texas to become the nation’s top producer of beef cattle, accounting for nearly 15 percent of all beef production in the United States. In fact, Texas produces twice as much as Oklahoma, the second-largest producer in the country.

The spirit of the cowboy is rooted in the traditions of the vaqueros, which continue to symbolize the pioneering spirit of Texas. As we celebrate the National Day of the Cowboy, we honor the vaqueros' contributions to Texas' heritage and tip our cowboy hats to the enduring work ethic of today’s Texas cowboys, ranchers, and farmers and those who came before them.

Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, is a member of the Senate Finance, Intelligence, and Judiciary Committees.