{"product_id":"creole-cowboy","title":"Creole Cowboy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCreole Cowboy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003esmells like genuine leather. saddle shop\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"137\" data-end=\"275\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"137\" data-end=\"151\"\u003eTop Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Warm, freshly tanned leather\u003cbr data-start=\"180\" data-end=\"183\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"183\" data-end=\"199\"\u003eHeart Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Supple suede, subtle wood grain\u003cbr data-start=\"231\" data-end=\"234\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"234\" data-end=\"249\"\u003eBase Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Golden amber, soft musk\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"127\" data-end=\"520\"\u003eIn the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Louisiana’s cattle industry had its own brand of cowboy—known as the \u003cem data-start=\"239\" data-end=\"254\"\u003eCreole cowboy\u003c\/em\u003e. These skilled horsemen were often of Creole heritage, blending African, French, Spanish, and Native American ancestry. They worked the prairies of southwest Louisiana, herding longhorns and other cattle breeds to market along routes like the \u003cstrong data-start=\"498\" data-end=\"517\"\u003eOpelousas Trail\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"522\" data-end=\"928\"\u003eThe Opelousas Trail stretched from the rich grazing lands near Opelousas and St. Landry Parish eastward toward New Orleans. Before the age of refrigerated transport, cowboys would drive thousands of cattle on horseback, sometimes taking weeks to cover the distance. Along the way, they navigated marshes, prairies, and bayous—facing sudden storms, swarms of mosquitoes, and unpredictable river crossings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"930\" data-end=\"1214\"\u003eCreole cowboys were known for their horsemanship, distinctive attire (often influenced by both Western and Creole styles), and deep knowledge of the land. They were also storytellers, musicians, and carriers of tradition—keeping alive a ranching culture that was uniquely Louisiana.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1216\" data-end=\"1474\"\u003eBy the early 20th century, the railroad began replacing long cattle drives, but the legacy of the Creole cowboy remains a proud part of Louisiana’s ranching heritage, celebrated at rodeos, trail rides, and in oral histories passed down through generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eFeatured on the label:\u003cstrong data-start=\"54\" data-end=\"80\"\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"214\" data-end=\"217\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eJoseph Cléopha Strauss\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"54\" data-end=\"80\"\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e(1861–1938) — Born in New Orleans to a French father from Alsace and a Creole mother from Opelousas, Cléopha settled in the Vermilion-Carencro region of Louisiana and became known locally as a skilled horse trainer within the Creole ranching world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eImage of Joseph Cléopha Strauss (c. late 19th century) courtesy of MyLHCV.com — public domain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Swampy Hollow Candle Co","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49473457455297,"sku":null,"price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0830\/2388\/8577\/files\/IMG_2001.jpg?v=1756916630","url":"https:\/\/swampyhollowcandleco.myshopify.com\/products\/creole-cowboy","provider":"Swampy Hollow Candle Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}