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

Glenn Strange

— Dodge City Trail of Fame —

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 18, 2022

1. Glenn Strange Marker

Inscription. Portrayed barkeep Sam Noonan on Gunsmoke, 1961-1973
Rancher, musician, acted in hundreds of movies

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.

Location. 37° 45.221′ N, 100° 1.192′ W. Marker is in Dodge City, Kansas, in Ford County. It is on Gunsmoke Street just east of 3rd Avenue, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 310 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 the Republic

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of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ken Curtis (a few steps from this marker); James Nusser (a few steps from this marker); Burt Reynolds (within shouting distance of this marker); Gene Barry (within shouting distance of this marker); Milburn Stone (within shouting distance of this marker); “Bat” Masterson (within shouting distance of this marker); Dennis Weaver (within shouting distance of this marker); James Arness (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dodge City.

Also see . . .
1. George Glenn Strange (1899–1973) (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: American actor who appeared in hundreds of Western films. He played Sam Noonan, the bartender on CBS's Gunsmoke television series, and Frankenstein's monster in three Universal films during the 1940s. He grew up on a ranch near Cross Cut, TX, and left school after eighth grade, for his father thought he had enough education to work with cattle. When he was 12 he began playing the fiddle at local dances. In 1928 he began performing music on an El Paso, Texas radio station.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 18, 2022

2. Glenn Strange Marker
The marker is embedded in the Gunsmoke Street sidewalk near the storefront entrance at this location.
Another early job was heavyweight boxing, which caused some “cauliflower” damage to his right ear. Strange competed in the Hoot Gibson rodeo but was injured when a horse fell on him. After the injury Gibson looked after him, and Strange began playing outlaws in Gibson's Western films. For much of Strange's acting career most of his roles were playing “bad guys”. Because he could handle a stagecoach with six horses hitched up, he was often cast as a stagecoach driver. He had roles in 300 films and 500 television episodes.
Strange first appeared on Gunsmoke in 1960 after James Arness asked him, “When are you going to do a Gunsmoke? I like to work with big guys.” During Gunsmoke's sixth season, Strange played a Long Branch customer in “Old Faces” and a cowboy in “Melinda Miles.” Strange began playing Sam Noonan during the seventh season and continued in the role for 222 episodes. In 1972 Strange was diagnosed with lung cancer but worked as long as he was able. Five of his episodes were broadcast after his death. His last appearance was on the November 26, 1973, episode “The Hanging of Newly O'Brien.”

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

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

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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 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.