Clovis in Fresno County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Ken Curtis (1916-1991)
1916 - 1991
Photographed by Denise Boose, September 15, 2025
1. Ken Curtis Marker
Portrayed Festus Haggen of Gunsmoke TV Series, 1962 - 1975.
Ken Festus Curtis represents our Western heritage.
Ken Curtis grew up in Bent County, Colorado where his father served three terms as sheriff. As a youth he was also involved in ranching and farming. He was a veteran of World War II.
He enjoyed a successful musical career as staff singer at NBC radio, featured vocalist with the Tommy Dorsey and Shep Fields orchestras, and the Sons of the Pioneers. He appeared in numerous Western movies and television roles before he served as Matt Dillons deputy in Gunsmoke.
He and his wife Torrie moved to the Clovis area in 1980. He was active in the community and appeared in the 1991 Clovis Rodeo the day before he died.
The steel and concrete statue was sculpted by local artist Samantha Cowen. It depicts Curtis as he appeared in Gunsmoke. She donated the statue to the City of Clovis in 1992.
Erected 1992 by Clovis-Big Dry Creek Historical Society, Educational Employees Credit Union-Old Town Clovis.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1962.
Location. 36° 49.484′ N, 119° 42.132′
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Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Joaquin Valley, specifically in the Central Valley, and in the Sierra Nevada. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Tarpey Depot (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Clovis Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); September 11th California Memorial (approx. 2.6 miles away); Korea "The Forgotten War" (approx. 4.9 miles away); French Merci Train Boxcar (approx. 4.9 miles away); French Merci Train Boxcar Cover (approx. 4.9 miles away); Fort Washington (approx. 5.3 miles away); Christmas Tree Lane (approx. 5.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clovis.
Another marker is no longer nearby. The San Joaquin Valley Railroad (was approx. 0.4 miles away).
Photographed by Denise Boose, September 15, 2025
2. Ken Curtis Marker
Photographed by Denise Boose, September 15, 2025
3. Ken Curtis Marker
Photographed by Denise Boose, September 15, 2025
4. Ken Curtis Marker
Photographed by Denise Boose, September 15, 2025
5. Ken Curtis Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 23, 2025, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 244 times since then and 175 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 23, 2025, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
