P.O. Box 1474 400 W. Wyatt Earp Blvd. Wyatt 400 W. 1474 Box P.O. WELCOME When you think Dodge City, you probably think of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. Shootouts and Saloons. The general stores to wide open spaces to explore. In Dodge City, Kansas, the legend of the old west still lives on, partnered with the new west just waiting to be discovered. From the Longhorn Cattle Drive to the Long Branch Saloon to the Long Branch Lagoon Water Park, the days in Dodge City are long on fun. If you have additional questions about the "Queen of Cowtowns" and to view our restaurant listings, please check out www.visitdodgecity.org or stop by the Visitor Information Center located at 400 W. Wyatt Earp Blvd. We are here to make your visit to the old west a memorable one. We have plenty of attractions that will transport you back in time to the “Wickedest Little City in America,” and the inspiration for the television show Gunsmoke. WE SAVED THE WEST FOR YOU. VISITDODGECITY.ORG 1-800-OLD WEST HISTORY HISTORY Front Street, Dodge City (1874) The Santa Fe Trail, opened in 1821 by William as the wildest town on the western frontier. Such Becknell, became a great commercial route between notable lawmen as Bat Masterson and Wyatt Earp Franklin, Missouri, and Santa Fe, New Mexico, until became legends in their own time as they fought to 1880. Thousands of wagons traveled the Mountain bring law and order to the streets of Dodge City. Branch of the trail that went west from Dodge City During those first years, the population varied along the north bank of the Arkansas River into according to the season, swelling during the summer Colorado. For those willing to risk the dangers with the influx of cowboys, buyers, gamblers, and of waterless sandhills, a shorter route called the prostitutes. Business, dance halls, and saloons catered “Cimarron Cutoff” crossed the river near Dodge City to the Texas trade. and went southwest to the Cimarron River. The town thrived and its populace of buffalo Fort Dodge was established in 1865 on the Santa hunters, railroad workers, soldiers, and drifters “settled Fe Trail, midway between two major Indian crossings their differences” in shoot-outs. Lawlessness reigned, on the Arkansas River. It was an important outpost on creating the need for a burial place, Boot Hill Cemetery. the western frontier; offering protection to wagon trains For six years Dodge City had no official cemetery. and serving as a supply base for troops engaged in Those who had friends, enough money, or sufficient the Native American wars. Kiowa, Cheyenne and other standing in the community were buried in the post Plains tribes inhabited the area, and wild game was cemetery at Fort Dodge. Others, penniless or unknown, abundant including vast herds of buffalo. were buried where it was convenient to dig a hole. Boot Dodge City was founded in 1872, just five miles Hill Cemetery, now a part of downtown Dodge City, is west of Fort Dodge on the edge of the military the most famous burial ground in all western lore, even reservation. It quickly became a trade center for though it was only used until 1878. travelers and buffalo hunters. The same year, the Fort Dodge was closed in 1882, and by 1886, the railroad reached Dodge City, assuring its continued cattle drives had ended. An illustrious period of history existence and making it a major shipping point. An was over, but the legend lives on in Dodge City’s estimated 850,000 buffalo hides were shipped from historic preservation of its romantic and internationally Dodge City in the years 1872 to 1874. famous past. By 1875, the buffalo were gone as a source of — Kansas Heritage Center revenue, but the Longhorn cattle of Texas soon took their place. From 1875 to 1886, over 5,000,000 cattle were driven up the Western Trail from Texas to Dodge City. Cowboys from the cattle drives had more than a little influence in establishing Dodge City’s reputation 1-800-OLD-WEST TRANSIT TRANSIT Horses & Covered Wagon, Dodge City Air Services Visitors may take Los Paisanos Autobus Inc. to Dodge City and then down the road after their visit. Dodge City Regional Airport 100 Airport Rd. | (620) 225-8170 Dodge City Public Transportation dodgecity.org/airport 101 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd. | (620) 225-8119 The Dodge City Regional Airport, partnered with Getting around the local area is extremely easy United and operated by SkyWest, offers services thanks to Dodge City Public Transportation with to and from Denver with connections to the rest of three local fixed bus routes. the world. Local taxi services are available, as well as Uber Crott’s Aircraft Service Inc. and Lyft drivers. Visit our website for a list of 102 Airport Rd. | (620) 227-3553 providers. crottsaircraft.com Crotts Aircraft Service is a fixed base operation. With highly trained staff and a full-service facility, Crotts Aircraft Service can expedite your travel with the utmost attention to detail. Train Service Amtrak 101 W. Wyatt Earp Blvd. | 1-800-USA RAIL amtrak.com Amtrak’s Southwest Chief, running between Los Angeles and Chicago, makes a stop in the heart of Wichita 154 miles 2 3/4 hours Downtown Dodge City. Hutchinson 123 miles 2 hours Kansas City 333 miles 5 1/4 hours Bus Denver 364 miles 6 hours Colorado Springs 314 miles 5 1/4 hours Los Paisanos Auto Bus Inc / La Tapatia Oklahoma City 253 miles 4 1/2 hours 614 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd. | (620) 338-8894 Santa Fe 420 miles 6 3/4 hours lospaisanosautobuses.com Dallas 458 miles 7 1/2 hours VISITDODGECITY.ORG ATTRACTIONS ATTRACTIONS Boot Hill Museum Front Street (1960- Postcard ) Exploring the History Kansas and has been renovated to the period of the 1910s. The Twin Sundials were built in 1897, Coronado Cross then refurbished in 1928. They were constructed 11666 US-400 for the passengers on waiting trains to know the Six miles to the east of Dodge time in both central and mountain time zones. City, you will find the 38 foot tall Coronado Cross. This marks the spot where Spanish explorer Francisco Vasquez de Coronado is said to have crossed the Arkansas River in search of the fabled “Seven Cities of Gold” in 1541. Historic Dodge City Walking Tour | Fort Dodge and the Dodge City Trail of Fame Kansas Veterans’ 400 W. Wyatt Earp Blvd. | (620) 225-8186 Cemetery Guided Tours - Charlie Meade | (620) 253-9231 5 miles east on Hwy 400 The Historic Dodge City Walking Tour partnered (620) 227-2121 ext 111 with the Dodge City Trail of Fame to highlight A quick trip five miles east more than 29 medallions set in the sidewalk, of town will take you to Fort which are dedicated to the famous Dodge and the Kansas people of Dodge City, both historic Veterans’ Cemetery. The Fort served as a supply and fictional. The tour also takes you depot and base of operations against Native by several sculptures where guests American threats from 1865-1882. It now serves can revisit the heroes of the past. our veterans as the Kansas Soldiers’ Home. The sculptures including Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, fictional character Historic Santa Fe Depot and Twin Marshal Matt Dillon, and El Capitan. Sundials There are many locations of interest 101 W. Wyatt Earp Blvd. to see during the walking tour such Dodge City’s Santa Fe Depot opened in 1898 and as the Santa Fe Depot and the housed a Fred Harvey Hotel and the El Vaquero Hinkle House. Storyboards that tell dining room. It is the largest rail depot building in the stories of the Mexican Village, 1-800-OLD-WEST ATTRACTIONS Boot Hill Museum 500 W. Wyatt Earp Blvd. | (620) 227-8188 | boothill.org Relive the Legend of Dodge City and walk down the boardwalk of Front Street at the Boot Hill Museum. Located on the original site of the Boot Hill Cemetery, the museum chronicles the establishment of a rough and rowdy cattle town. It houses over 60,000 artifacts from Old West times. Enjoy a cold sarsaparilla in the Long Branch Saloon or some delicious fudge from the General Store. In the summer, witness gunfight reenactments, enjoy a delicious country-style dinner followed by the Variety Show starring Miss Kitty and her girls at the Long Branch Saloon. The museum is open year- round, but closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. the importance of the 100th Meridian Marker, Mueller-Schmidt House Museum and the beautiful Gospel Hill Churches. Don’t Home of Stone forget to marvel at the Stan Herd murals, located 112 E. Vine St. | (620) 227-6791 throughout downtown. And be certain to visit La This 1881 three-story native limestone residence Salsa Man, created by the late Hollywood actor is filled with original furnishings and is the oldest and Dodge City native, Dennis Hopper. home in Dodge City, on its original location. This home was one of the most splendid homes of its Kansas Heritage Center time. It is listed on the National Register of Historic 1001 N. 2nd Ave. | (620) 225-0248 Places. It also contains a gallery dedicated to the Located on the lower level of the Dodge City pioneer women of Ford County. Public Library, the Kansas Heritage Center is a nonprofit social studies resource center in Dodge City. The emphasis is history, especially the history of Kansas, the Great Plains, and the Old West. A research library of books, microfilm, and vertical file materials is maintained at the Center.