Dodge City in Ford County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Ken Curtis

— Dodge City Trail of Fame —

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 18, 2022

1. Ken Curtis Marker

Inscription. Popular role as Festus in the TV series Gunsmoke from 1964 to 1975
Singer, radio, TV and movie actor and producer

Erected by Dodge City Trail of Fame, Inc.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Kansas, Dodge City Trail of Fame series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1964.

Location. 37° 45.213′ N, 100° 1.191′ W. Marker is in Dodge City, Kansas, in Ford County. It is on Gunsmoke Street just east of 3rd Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 313 Gunsmoke Street, Dodge City KS 67801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

on the Great Plains,

on the Southern Plains,

on the High Plains,

and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Comanchería,

the Dust Bowl,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and

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the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Glenn Strange (a few steps from this marker); James Nusser (within shouting distance of this marker); Burt Reynolds (within shouting distance of this marker); Milburn Stone (within shouting distance of this marker); Gene Barry (within shouting distance of this marker); Dennis Weaver (within shouting distance of this marker); James Arness (within shouting distance of this marker); Charles Rath (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dodge City.

Also see . . .
1. Ken Curtis (1916-1991) (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: Ken Curtis (born Curtis Wain Gates) was an American actor and singer best known for his role as Festus Haggen, the scruffy, cantankerous, and illiterate deputy in Gunsmoke. Curtis first appeared in 1962 and joined the regular Gunsmoke cast in 1964, replacing Chester Goode, played by Dennis Weaver. While Marshal Matt Dillon had a total of five deputies over two decades, Festus held the role the longest (11 years), in 304 episodes. Curtis was also a
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 18, 2022

2. Ken Curtis Marker
Looking east along Gunsmoke Street. The marker is embedded in the sidewalk.
member of the veteran vocal group Sons of the Pioneers, with whom he made live appearances and recordings from 1949 to 1953; from 1955 to 1957 he sang with the Pioneers on recordings only.
By virtue of his second marriage, Curtis was a son-in-law of film director John Ford. Curtis teamed with Ford and John Wayne in Rio Grande. He was a singer in the movie's fictional band, The Regimental Singers, who actually consisted of the Sons of the Pioneers. Curtis is also remembered as Charlie McCorry in The Searchers, and for his appearances in The Quiet Man, The Wings of Eagles, The Horse Soldiers, The Alamo, and How the West Was Won.
In 1981, Curtis was inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

(Submitted on August 6, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Dodge City Trail of Fame (Visit Dodge City).

Excerpt: The Dodge City Trail of Fame, Inc. is part of the Historic Dodge City Walking Tour. This portion of the trail is marked with sidewalk medallions and statuaries to commemorate the many famous and infamous denizens of
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historic Dodge City. Additionally, many medallions are dedicated to notable movie and television stars that have portrayed famous Dodge Citians.

(Submitted on August 6, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 6, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.