What initially made cattle ranching profitable in what would become the state of Oklahoma?

 Cattle ranching initially became profitable in what would become the state of Oklahoma for several reasons:

1. Availability of Land: Before Oklahoma was a state, it was known as the Indian Territory and was largely unsettled by non-Indigenous people. There was an abundance of open land that could be used for grazing cattle. Later, various land runs and allotments opened up the territory to non-Native American settlers, who took advantage of the vast grasslands.

2. The Chisholm Trail: One of the most famous cattle trails, the Chisholm Trail, ran through Indian Territory. It was used to drive cattle from Texas ranches to railheads in Kansas from where the cattle could be shipped to the markets in the East. This trail became a major route for cattle drives after the Civil War, which made ranching in Oklahoma profitable as it provided a direct path to move cattle to buyers.

3. Demand for Beef: After the Civil War, there was a significant increase in demand for beef in the expanding urban cities of the northeast and Midwest. This demand led to higher prices for cattle, which made ranching a profitable enterprise.

4. Development of Railroads: The introduction of railroads into the region provided the needed infrastructure to transport large numbers of cattle quickly and efficiently to market. This reduced the time and cost of moving cattle, further increasing the profitability of ranching.

5. Grass and Water Resources: The region had ample natural resources, including sufficient grassland for grazing and water sources. This made it an ideal area for raising cattle at a low cost since there was no need to supplement the cattle’s feed.