From 1876 to 1887, this was the main route for several hundred thousand longhorns driven north to stock ranches and Indian reservations and to supply the beef market. It was also called the Dodge City Trail for its main terminus, or the Fort Griffin Trail for the site where feeder trails joined. This major branch began in south Texas, passed the western outskirts of Abilene, and from here moved northeast to Fort Griffin. An alternate route ran to the Red River, then to Kansas. Use of the trail ceased after fenced ranges blocked the route and the Texas and Pacific Railway arrived.