The Vaquero: The First American Cowboy

The LJHA is excited to bring The Vaquero: The First American Cowboy to the Alden B. Dow Office Museum. Learn about the cultural evolution of Mexican vaqueros and the influence they've had over Texan life, including here in Lake Jackson! We'll supplement the exhibit with photographs from our collection that detail the importance of cattle ranching and horseback riding among Lake Jackson's early residents such as Dr. A. P. Beutel. 

The Vaquero will be on view at the Alden B. Dow Office Museum Saturdays from 10 AM - 4 PM and Tuesday - Fridays by appointment from September 2, through October 28, 2023. You can make an appointment by emailing director@ljhistory.org or calling (979) 297-1570.

Exhibit Description from Texas Time Travel

The Vaquero exhibit was developed by Douglas Harman, Ph.D for the Texas Lakes Trail program. Funded by the FASH FOUNDATION Research: Clara and Robert Holmes

THE VAQUERO: THE FIRST AMERICAN COWBOY: Long before the pilgrims set foot on this continent,Spain had colonies established in Mexico in an area known as the State of Coahuila, later to become the great State of Texas. Some of the Ranches known as Haciendas were larger than the New England States. The patrons ofhacendados, as these land-owners were called, employed people of Spanish and Indian ancestry, know as Mestizos. Thesepeople became experts at handling large herds of cattle using their horsemanship and roping skills. They developed methods, tools andlanguage, remaining in use today as a part of the present cattle industry. Words such as Chaps, Lariat, Rodeo, Dally and Mustang.These horsemen became known as VAQUEROS, a word which literally translated means ‘cowman’ and which we no know as COWBOY.