Why did the trail really start when Abilene was founded?

The trail truly began when Abilene was founded in 1867 because it became a key shipping point for cattle drives from Texas to railroads in the north. Its establishment as a railhead facilitated the movement of livestock, connecting ranches with markets and significantly boosting the cattle industry. This strategic location attracted drovers and traders, making Abilene a bustling hub that symbolized the expansion of the American West and the rise of the cattle trade.