Historical Markers and War Memorials in Dodge City, Kansas
Dodge City is the county seat for Ford County
Dodge City is in Ford County
Ford County(52) ► ADJACENT TO FORD COUNTY Clark County(2) ► Edwards County(7) ► Gray County(3) ► Hodgeman County(1) ► Kiowa County(8) ► Meade County(11) ►
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This hill was not a pleasant place during the 1870’s. It was covered with buffalo grass, prickly pear and soapweed and was used as a burying ground for drifters, troublemakers, and unknowns from 1872 until 1879. As early as 1879 newspapers were . . . — — Map (db m62003) HM
On 2nd Avenue at Spruce Street, on the left when traveling north on 2nd Avenue.
This building was constructed in 1907 with the financial assistance of Andrew Carnegie, Steel Magnate and nationally known philanthropist.
Architect: C.W. Squires, Emporia
Builder: William Foley, Dodge City
City Library: 1907 - 1969 . . . — — Map (db m65354) HM
On Wyatt Earp Boulevard west of 3rd Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
The Santa Fe Trail was a busy overland route for fifty years before Dodge City was founded. The heavy freight wagons rumbled along where you are now standing. In 1865, Fort Dodge was established to provide protection for wagon trains and to . . . — — Map (db m65270) HM
On Central Avenue at Front Street, on the left when traveling north on Central Avenue.
For decades, Dodge City's existence was tied to the railroad. When the first train arrived on the newly-laid Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad tracks in September 1872, stacks of buffalo hides were already waiting to be transported to eastern . . . — — Map (db m65283) HM
On Front Street at 2nd Avenue, on the left when traveling west on Front Street.
The first structure built on the future site of Dodge City was a three-room sod house. Constructed by Henry L. Sitler, it was near the dusty ruts of the Santa Fe Trail, approximately 500 feet southwest of where you now stand. The "soddie" was . . . — — Map (db m65273) HM
On Wyatt Earp Boulevard (Business U.S. 50) 0.1 miles east of Matt Down Road, on the right when traveling east.
"If you stood on the hill above Dodge City, there was traffic as far as you could see, 24-hours a day; seven days a week on the Santa Fe Trail." —Henry L. Sitler, early settler Fort Dodge was established on the Santa Fe Trail in 1859 to protect . . . — — Map (db m204346) HM
On Wyatt Earp Boulevard at 2nd Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Wyatt Earp Boulevard.
This statue commemorates the Texas Longhorn that gave Dodge City its place in history as "Queen of the Cowtowns." The Longhorns are descendants of Spanish cattle brought to Mexico in the 16th century. Between 1875 and 1886, over 4 million head . . . — — Map (db m65271) HM
On 2nd Avenue at Spruce Street, on the left when traveling north on 2nd Avenue.
In the mid 1880s, economic factors contributed to a change in Dodge City's character. The cowtown era ended with the last Texas cattle drives in 1885. Two severe blizzards in that period destroyed the local range cattle industry. At the same . . . — — Map (db m65356) HM
On Spruce Street at 4th Avenue, on the left when traveling west on Spruce Street.
Dodge City's most famous early settler started Dodge City's first business on Front Street in 1871. Was mayor four terms. He also hired Wyatt Earp to come and get law and order established and put the city on a very sound basis. He organized . . . — — Map (db m65387) HM
On Front Street at 2nd Avenue, on the left when traveling west on Front Street.
Dodge City became the buffalo-hunting capital of the world soon after it was founded in 1872. Within three years, however, the buffalo herds were depleted to the point that Dodge needed a new source of income. Longhorn cattle filled that need. . . . — — Map (db m65274) HM
On Spruce Street at 4th Avenue, on the left when traveling west on Spruce Street.
Modeled by O.H. Simpson, D.D.S.
Pioneer Dentist
The model for this statue was
Joe Sughrue
A Cowboy and later Dodge City
Chief of Police
from 1933 to 1936 — — Map (db m65384) HM
On Central Avenue at Front Street, on the right when traveling north on Central Avenue.
"Experience teaches that it is not wise to depend upon rainfall where the amount is less than 20 inches annually. The isohyetal or mean rainfall line of 20 inches…in a general way…may be represented by the 100th meridian. [In this . . . — — Map (db m65287) HM
On Spruce Street at 4th Avenue, on the left when traveling west on Spruce Street.
This site became known as Boot Hill due to the custom of burying gunfighters with their boots on or behind their heads. It is estimated that 32 men and one woman were buried on this site. The names of many of these are unknown as they died . . . — — Map (db m65388) HM
Near 5th Avenue just north of West Wyatt Earp Boulevard, on the right when traveling north.
The railroad played a significant role in the prosperity of early Dodge City. When the railhead was established here in 1872, Dodge City became the ideal location for shipping buffalo hides to points east on the Atchinson, Topeka and Santa Fe . . . — — Map (db m230435) HM
On Spruce Street west of 2nd Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
This garden stands as a tribute to J. C. Denious and his family, who owned and operated the "Dodge City Daily Globe" from 1910 to 1988. The newspaper has a history dating back to 1878 as a weekly publication, but Denious is credited as the Father . . . — — Map (db m65330) HM
On 14th Avenue at Division Street, on the right when traveling north on 14th Avenue.
[Honor Roll of Veterans]
Almighty God, we ask
Thy blessings upon
these our comrades
That Others May Live in Freedom
To the American Soldiers,
veterans who served, fought
and died for our freedom.
Kenneth L. Gladden . . . — — Map (db m65390) WM
On Front Street at 2nd Avenue, on the left when traveling west on Front Street.
This map depicts businesses known to have existed along Dodge City's Front Street between 1878 and 1882. As the town grew, other establishments were located farther north of Front Street, as well as south of the railroad tracks. Modern street . . . — — Map (db m65272) HM
On Wyatt Earp Boulevard at Central Avenue, on the left when traveling east on Wyatt Earp Boulevard.
Buffalo Hunter
Deputy Sheriff of Ford County - 1876
Assistant Marshal of Dodge City - 1877
Deputy Marshal of Dodge City - 1876-1879 — — Map (db m65279) HM
On Spruce Street at 4th Avenue, on the left when traveling west on Spruce Street.
Called to Dodge City in 1876 and established law and order in a few years. He did the same thing for other cities and became known as the best law officer in the West. He was a quiet and decent man and caused considerable publicity for Dodge . . . — — Map (db m65386) HM
