About the Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Trail
Introduction
The Texas Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Trail has been an umbrella program for the State Parks’ Interpretive Services Education & Outreach Program since 1995 and have collaborated and coordinated with the Texas Historical Commission and County Historical Commissions to support their preservation programs. The idea behind the Heritage Trail concept has been to link State Parks, State Historic Sites and other historical sites to the legacy of the Texas Buffalo Soldiers story. This was planned to be accomplished by utilizing the interpretive programs of other State Parks to accentuate other areas of the Buffalo Soldiers story, including the natural history and other cultures between 1867 and 1875. Examples of this concept are readily apparent. The sandhills at Monahans State Park represent a geographical area that American Indians would elude the military. Seminole Canyon State Park interprets the American Indian culture as well as represents history of the railroad and travel westward through Texas. State Parks offer their own Texas History as well as an opportunity to lure visitors and campers to their sites.
The plan was also to execute pilot projects with at-risk communities, the Texas Historical Commission, County Historical Commissions, Texas School Districts, and other partners. These pilot projects are planned to demonstrate the feasibility and sustainability of this project.
Dr. A.C. Jackson, wife Gloria Jackson, and the Abilene Heritage Committee worked at the Legislative level in support of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department – Buffalo Soldier Program. Their previous work culminated into SB 1457 designating July as “Texas’ Buffalo Soldiers Month.
About Ken Pollard
Crucial to this success was their collaboration with Ken Pollard, TPWD’s first African American Regional Supervisor. Before retiring after 30 years of service, Pollard helped establish the Texas Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Trail and led TPWD’s Buffalo Soldiers Heritage and Outreach Program. His foundational work—producing living history events for schools and community groups - ensured accurate portrayals of life on the Texas frontier and cemented the Buffalo Soldiers as a permanent fixture in Texas history.
Buffalo Soldiers Heritage & Outreach Program
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department’s Buffalo Soldiers Heritage & Outreach Program brings to life the rich history of the African-American cavalry regiments who served on the Texas frontier. Participants explore interactive living-history experiences—such as a replica campsite, games and demonstrations of frontier skills—while making meaningful connections between those soldiers’ legacy and our outdoor heritage. Pictured in the photo are Chaplain Coy Poitier, Captain Ricky Dolifka, and Private Allen Mack.
For more information on the Buffalo Soldiers Heritage & Outreach Program,
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History and Background of the Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Trail
Following the Civil War, the instability of national affairs, renewed expansion, and vital international concerns demanded reorganization of the permanent military establishment. Congress reacted quickly to the issue by passing on July 28, 1866, an Act creating additional regiments of artillery, cavalry and infantry and stipulating that of the six new regiments of cavalry, two (the 9th and 10th Cavalry) were to be comprised of Negro troops. The act also called for forty-five new regiments of infantry and reserved four for Negro troops (the 38th, 39th, 40th and 41st Infantry).
The Negro troop’s service in Texas appeared in Texas in 1867 when the Forty-First Infantry and the Ninth Cavalry arrived to reoccupy some of the abandoned military forts along the southern route west. Between 1867 and 1885 Texas was home to both Infantry and Cavalry Regiments of Negro troops, called Buffalo Soldiers. They were stationed at Texas forts and outposts along military and civilian routes, including Indian trails in Texas. Since 1996 the Texas Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Trail has implemented pilot educational and tourism projects across Texas with heritage tourists and school classes seeking connection to ‘A Texas Story’ about the Buffalo Soldiers.
The Texas Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Trail explores the heritage of Texas during the 1800’s, based on natural and cultural history. The project focuses on the shared heritage of African Americans, American Indians, Mexican Americans, Spaniards, Americans and European settlers in Texas. The Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Trail views Texas history and culture as the merging of various cultural beliefs, values and systems into a larger system – Texas
culture.
About Heritage Tourism
One of the most rapidly growing segments of the United States economy is the travel industry. Leisure travel contributes billions of dollars to the economy. Heritage Tourism, a segment of leisure travel, has become the most recognized means of attracting tourists to our historical and cultural sites.
Heritage tourism is travel directed toward experiencing an areas unique heritage and culture. Studies by the Travel Industry Association of America rank heritage tourists as better educated and inclined to spend more time and money than an average tourist.
Heritage tourism along the Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Trail corridor does the following for Texas:
- Increases tourism to the State of Texas through the promotion of the Texas Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Trail
- Promotes economic and civic vitality in communities and regions across Texas through a statewide Buffalo Soldier tourism marketing package
- Educates residents and visitors about sites and properties that have historical significance in Texas and American history
- Builds stronger communities by promoting heritage tourism through collaborations and partnerships with other State Agencies, counties, cities, communities, local groups and historical sites along the trail corridor
- Increases visitation to State Historical Sites, State Parks, Wildlife Management Areas, and other historical sites in Texas
- Increases youth and family participation in natural and cultural preservation activities
- Teaches Heritage education in schools and at-risk youth programs through the Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Trail educational programs and curriculum frameworks.