|
The legend of the Old West
Dodge City, Kansas, the Cowboy Capital of the World
The gateway to history began with the opening of the Santa Fe Trail by William Beckness in l821. Dodge City was the main trading center between Franklin, Missouri and Santa Fe, New Mexico until l880. Thousands of covered wagons traveled the Mountain Branch of the trail which went west from Dodge City along the north bank of the Arkansas River into Colorado.
 In 1865, Fort Dodge was established on the Santa Fe Trail near the present site of the city, offering protection to wagon trains and to U.S. Mail carriers. The Fort also acted as a supply base for troops fighting the Indian Wars.
In l871, just five miles east of Fort Dodge, a rancher by the name of Henry Sitler, constructed a three room sod-house so he could oversee his cattle ranch. His home became a frequent stopping place for buffalo hunters and traders. Dodge City was founded the next year, l872, with the Sitler's home being the first house in Dodge.
 In September l872, the shiny steel rails of the brand new Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad stretched into view and the town of Dodge City was waiting. The railroad helped the town to boom. Famous Front Street was born as general merchandise stores, a dance hall, a restaurant, a barber shop, a blacksmith shop and even a saloon sprang up overnight.
Dodge City got its reputation as a town of lawlessness and gun slinging in these very early days because there were no lawmen and the military had no jurisdiction over the town. Buffalo hunters, railroad workers, drifters and soldiers drank and fought, leading to the shootings where men died with their boots on. The town needed a hasty place for local burials so the famous Boot Hill Cemetery was created. The cemetery was used until l878 and then was relocated. A mock cemetery can be visited at the historical Boot Hill Museum located on Wyatt Earp Boulevard in Dodge City, Kansas.
 For three years, Dodge City was the Buffalo capital of the world. Approximately 850,000 Buffalo hides were shipped out of Dodge City between l872-74. By l875, the Buffalo were gone as a source of revenue, but Texas Longhorn cattle drove the money back into the town.
Livestock was not the only thing to arrive in l875; law and order also came to Dodge. Famous officers such as Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp, Bill Tilghman and Charlie Bassett moved into the untamed land of the west. Over the years, Dodge became a respectable place to live; settlers moved in and family businesses were established.
By l877, Dodge City became the "Cowboy Capital" known for shipping more cattle by rail to the east than any other city. It is said that the best steaks in America came from Dodge City, where "the grass is remarkably fine, the water plenty, drinks two for a quarter and no strangers. These points make Dodge City THE cattle point." Dodge City Times, June 16, l877.
Today you can get your taste of the Old West through Dodge City's newest venture: Dodge City Steak Company.
TO TOP
Columbus Gourmet
302 Brown Avenue, Columbus, GA 31903
|
