STLA History

Compiled by Debbie Davis
Every attempt has been made to accurately piece together events over the last twenty-seven years. If individuals, sales, ranch tours, or other major occurrences are omitted, it was not intentional. Fact and omissions corrections are welcome.

Debbie Davis wishes to thank Tom Peoples for the inspiration to record this history before it was lost, and most of all thanks go out to contributors to the article: Betty and John T. Baker, H. C Carter, Bob and Gail Coffee, Mike Crocker, Shirley Frazier, Barbara Homer, Carolyn Hunter, Velna Jackson, David Karger, Jan Koehne, Mary Beth Peoples, Christy Randolph, Alan Sparger, Laney Weise, Wilton and Carolyn Wilton, Cliff and Gail Woerner and special thanks to Mike Settles whom provided detailed records including dates, names and prices for events '74-'86 and loaned me his collection of Longhom Journals '83- '86-boy, were they a hoot to go through!

(Did you know Velna Jackson and Betty Baker were both twirlers with the Texas Longhorn Band while they attended the University of Texas?)

Retired King Ranch Foreman Leonard Stiles offered fascinating insight into the origin of the King Ranch Longhorn herd. Bob Kleburg traded Graves Peeler 30 Santa Gertrudis heifers for his first 30 Longhorn cows in 1961. His herd grew to 500 in its prime but now only 32 museum quality specimens remain from the original herd-but that is an entirely separate article.

1970's: The Early Years

1980's: The Colorful, Political, High-rolling, Years

1990's: The Years of Struggle for Balance and Sustainability

2000's: A Bright Future

Longhorns in the Beef Industry

Mission