On the 167th anniversary of Texas’ statehood, elected officials and numerous students from around Texas packed the State Capitol rotunda to honor Caprock Canyons State Park and its ongoing efforts to preserve the Texas State Bison Herd.

Southern Plains bison once numbered in the millions. A remnant of the last Texas herd had been saved in 1876. Molly Goodnight had encouraged her rancher husband, Charles Goodnight, to save some of these last bison which were taking refuge in the Texas Panhandle. By saving these few plains bison, she was able to establish a buffalo herd near the Palo Duro Canyon. This herd peaked at 250 in 1933. Bison of this herd were introduced into the Yellowstone National Park in 1902 and into the larger zoos and ranches throughout the nation.

By 1999, inbreeding threatened to destroy the last remaining vestige of the Southern Plans bison herd that roamed the state park which was once part of the Goodnight’s JA Ranch. At that time, media mogul Ted Turner donated several bulls to the state park. Since the introduction of these bulls the herd has increased to approximately 80 bisons and there is no longer a threat of extinction.

Caprock Canyons State Park is located near Quitaque, Texas, about 50 miles northeast of Plainview.

March 2 marked the 175th anniversary of Texas Independence!