The Blue River Cattle Trail was foundational in bringing the Texas beef and cattle industry into Nebraska between 1868 - 1871.

The 200-plus mile trail ran along the Big Blue River, for which it was named. It began where the Chisolm trail ended at Abilene, KS to the Stockyards in Schuyler, NE.

Over 1.5 million Longhorn cattle traversed the Blue River Cattle Trail, where many were loaded and shipped by train eastward to Chicago and St. Louis.

The Blue River Cattle Trail was an integral part of the post-Civil War reunification efforts between North and South through its mutually benefitting promotion of economy and commerce.