2024 General Land Office Christmas Ornament Celebrates Texas’ Cattle Drive History
Christmas ornaments come in various shapes and designs, each with its own story to tell. Originally inspired by the Texas Capitol’s annual Christmas ornament, the General Land Office started a new Christmas ornament tradition of its own in 2016 based on its archival collection. The ornaments celebrate the GLO’s unique perspective on Texas’ history and heritage. For instance, highly collectible, limited-edition ornaments from previous years featured the compass rose from one of the GLO’s most important maps, a whimsical gnome from a map of Kimble County, a soaring American eagle, imagery highlighting Texas’ energy industry, a rumbling freight train, and a shining Lone Star found on a map of Llano County.
This year’s decorative keepsake is a particularly striking piece that stands out due to its historical and artistic significance. It features a distinctive Texas Longhorn image appearing on an 1873 Kansas Pacific Railway map of Texas that details a network of cattle trails originating from points throughout the state. The bold red lines on the map consolidate at two crossings of the Red River, from which they proceed across the Indian Territory (Oklahoma) to towns in Kansas along the Kansas Pacific Railway, which transported the cattle west. The limited edition 2024 ornament blends the warmth of holiday traditions with a nod to a crucial period in American history, celebrating both Texas culture and the pioneering spirit of the American West.
The Texas Longhorn is an enduring symbol of the state of Texas and the American frontier. Its ancestors were brought to the Americas by European explorers in the sixteenth century, and it became an iconic figure during nineteenth century cattle drives, particularly in Texas. Known for its long, curved horns and rugged endurance, the Longhorn represents the resilience and adaptability of early western pioneers. The inclusion of this image on a Christmas ornament ties together the holiday season’s themes of togetherness, strength, and perseverance with the historical legacy of western cattle trails.
For Texans and fans of the American West, the GLO’s 2024 Christmas ornament evokes pride in their history and serves as a conversation starter, inspiring discussions about the cattle industry, the expansion of Texas’ railroads, and the migration that shaped Texas’ development. Through its combination of art, history, and symbolism, this ornament becomes a meaningful keepsake that celebrates both the joy of Christmas and the rugged history of the Lone Star State.
“My grandmother, who was the first person to teach me about Texas history, always had such great pride in Texas and wanted to be able to celebrate it with family around the holiday season, which she did by collecting the Texas Capitol ornaments for over two decades,” said Deputy Director of Archives and Records James Harkins. “When the General Land Office started its own ornament program featuring artwork inspired by our map collection, she was excited to be able to add even more Texas spirit to her Christmas tree (usually close to a glass Christmas pickle, an old German-Texan tradition). We encourage all Texans to do the same and collect General Land Office ornaments, helping to spread the Texas spirit through this new holiday tradition.”
Please click here to purchase your limited edition 2024 Christmas ornament. They also make great stocking stuffers for friends and family! And you can also purchase reproductions of the 1873 map on which the Longhorn appears. The proceeds of your purchase help support the Save Texas History Program, a statewide initiative to rally public support and private funding for the preservation and promotion of the historic maps and documents housed in the GLO Archives.
Be sure to place your order by Sunday, December 15 to ensure delivery by Christmas.
