when did the chisholm trail end in abilene kansas?
Finally in 1872, the town notified drovers that their herds could no longer be driven to Abilene. This did not mark the end of cattle drives to Kansas. Throughout this time the railroad had continued to move west. Ellsworth, which was not on the Chisholm Trail, became the next important shipping point. Newton and Wichita (both on the Chisholm Trail) eventually became well-known cowtowns.