The first fencing in North America was simple, constructed from materials readily available. Settlers drove stakes into the ground and lashed frayed bark or woven branches between them, creating a ‘stake-and-rider’ fence that kept cattle out of fields, provided a boundary around homesteads, and provided privacy. These barricades evolved over time to become more sophisticated structures with latticework and weaves, but they remained rooted in simple design principles that could be adapted with local materials, making them more practical in remote locations.