In the early 1800s, farming in the U.S. shifted toward selling goods, and livestock such as cattle, sheep, and hogs were driven to markets in cities. Before trains became common in the 1850s, animals had to be walked to cities, with farmers guiding them. In West Virginia, this continued longer due to the challenging mountainous terrain. The Eastern Panhandle became crucial for cattle raising and connecting farms to eastern cities, with roads serving as major livestock routes. Over time, trucks replaced animal drives in the 1900s, making livestock transportation faster and easier.