Caldwell in Sumner County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Last Chance Saloon

Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 2, 2016

1. The Last Chance Saloon Marker

Inscription. The first building erected at Caldwell was, appropriately enough, a saloon. Constructed of thick logs in 1869 by Curley Marshall, it was located about a mile southeast of this marker on the north bank of Bluff Creek. It was open for business in time to serve the great cattle drives which moved from Texas to Abilene over the then new Chisholm Trail.

A sign on the building greeted Texas drovers just as they crossed into Kansas, proclaiming it was the "First Chance Saloon", and as they rode back toward the Lone Star state, the sign stated it was the "Last Chance Saloon", as a reminder of the prohibition of liquor in Indian Territory.

In 1874 a posse from Caldwell, while in pursuit of outlaws, thought badmen had holed up in the Last Chance and burned the saloon to drive them out. Though their suspicions proved to be unfounded, the building had been destroyed. The business was operated for a time from a secondary building at the same location, but soon fell into disuse as there was too much competition from the innumerable new saloons being established within the City of Caldwell.

Erected 1993 by The Caldwell Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1869.

Location.

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

37° 1.933′ N, 97° 36.425′ W. Marker is in Caldwell, Kansas, in Sumner County. Marker is on South Main Street (U.S. 81) north of East First Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Located next to the Border Queen Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3 South Main Street, Caldwell KS 67022, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Talbot Gang Shootout (within shouting distance of this marker); Shooting Up Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); "Those Who Came Before" (within shouting distance of this marker); Cowtown Law Enforcement / Caldwell's Early Government (within shouting distance of this marker); The Last Land Rush / Historic Marker Project (within shouting distance of this marker); The Leland Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); The Railroad Influence (within shouting distance of this marker); Native Stone Building (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Caldwell.

More about this marker. Funded by donations from Richard D. Lowe and the Caldwell Cherokee Strip Centennial Committee.

Regarding The Last Chance Saloon. Of the many saloons so named, two, including this saloon, have found particular notoriety, to the extent that they may be sometimes be

Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 2, 2016

2. The Last Chance Saloon Marker

referred to today with a definite article, as in "The Last Chance Saloon". The other was in Oakland, California.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 552 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 6, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.