Dodge City in Ford County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
First Public School of the Western Frontier
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 18, 2022
1. First Public School of the Western Frontier Marker
Public education in southwest Kansas had its beginning here in 1873 when the first public school of the Western Frontier was erected on this site.
1927
Erected 1927 by The Southwestern Bell Telephone Company.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.
Location. 37° 45.216′ N, 100° 1.091′ W. Marker is in Dodge City, Kansas, in Ford County. It is at the intersection of Gunsmoke Street and 1st Avenue when traveling east on Gunsmoke Street. The marker is mounted on the southeast corner of the building at this location. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 605 1st Avenue, 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.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Roger Ewing (here, next to this marker); Buck Taylor (a few steps from this marker); Chalk Beeson (within shouting distance of this marker); Amanda Blake (within shouting distance of this marker); Bruce Boxleitner (within shouting distance of this marker); World Premier Dodge City Starring Errol Flynn (within shouting distance of this marker); "Big Nose Kate" (within shouting distance of this marker); Ben Bates (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dodge City.
Also see . . .
1. Education in Kansas (Kansas Historical Society).
Excerpt: As settlers built towns and cities across Kansas, communities were quick to establish public schools. Providing an education for their children was a priority. Soon colleges and universities also were begun although, during the 19th century, most Kansans did not attend school past the eighth grade. Schooling consisted(Submitted on August 7, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)primarily of the "three R's" ("readin', 'ritin' and 'rithmetic").Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 18, 20222. First Public School of the Western Frontier MarkerThe marker is mounted on the southeast corner of the building at this location.
2. Dodge City, Kansas (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: The town of Dodge City can trace its origins to 1871, when rancher Henry L. Sitler built a sod house west of Fort Dodge to oversee his cattle operations in the region, conveniently located near the Santa Fe Trail and Arkansas River, and Sitler's house quickly became a stopping point for travelers. Others saw the commercial potential of the region with the Santa Fe Railroad rapidly approaching from the east. In 1872, Dodge City was staked out on the 100th meridian and the legal western boundary of the Fort Dodge reservation. The railroad arrived in September to find a town ready and waiting for business. The early settlers in Dodge City traded in buffalo bones and hides and provided a civilian community for Fort Dodge. With the arrival of the railroad, Dodge City soon became involved in the cattle trade.(Submitted on August 7, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 18, 2022
3. First Public School of the Western Frontier Marker
The marker is mounted on the southeast corner of the telecommunications building at northwest corner of the intersection.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 4, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 7, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
