History

History

Dodge City is indelibly linked with the American west. Some of the greatest lawmen and scoundrels in history walked and prowled the streets of what would come to be known as Queen of the Cowtowns. Our history draws adventurers, young and old, looking to get a glimpse of the old west. The resurgence in popularity of television westerns like Gunsmoke has continued to attract visitors to our community.

1872

Dodge City is founded.

Dodge City's first business, a sod tavern, is set up by George Hoover & Jack McConnell.

The Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad reaches Dodge City.

1883

Dodge City’s bloodless “Saloon War” leaves reform forces with the upper hand, signaling the beginning of the end of Dodge’s Wild West Days.

1885

The longhorn cattle drives to Dodge City come to an end when longhorns are banned from entering Kansas due to the “Texas Fever” sickness they carry.

A series of fires devastate Dodge City’s business district. Brick buildings replace the destroyed wooden ones.

1886

Santa Fe Depot is dedicated - opened on January 13, 1898

1906

Carnegie Library is built.

1914

Dodge City hosts its first World Championship 300-Mile Motorcycle Race, leading to a series of World-Famous Races that run through 1921 (except for the war years).

1922

Dodge City celebrates its 50th Birthday.

1927

The Lora-Locke Hotel, now the Ford County Government Center, is dedicated and construction begins, it opens for business in March of 1928.

1929

”The Last Roundup,” honoring The Cowboy Capital’s pioneers, is held on Boot Hill on November 4, 1929. Festivities include a parade, concert, the laying of the cornerstone of the new city building, and the dedication of the Cowboy statue.

1939

Warner Bros. brings the world-premiere of the film “Dodge City” to three movie theaters in Dodge City. This is the first premiere to be held outside of Hollywood. For the premiere, more than 200 cast members, crew, executives, and media personnel come to Dodge City on a special 14-car train.

1942

Construction begins on the Dodge City Army Airfield. The airfield opens on Dec. 31, 1942 with construction of the runway completing on May 31, 1943. The airfield provided training to U.S. Army officers, Free French Air Force pilots and Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP’s).

1947

The first Boot Hill Museum is established on old Boot Hill.

1950

Fiesta Days begins

1955

The legendary western television series “Gunsmoke” premieres on CBS.

1958

Actor Hugh O’Brian who portrayed Wyatt Earp on the television series The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp presides over the renaming of Chestnut Street to Wyatt Earp Blvd. and the unveils the Front Street replica cornerstone.

The cast of Gunsmoke visits Dodge City to rename Walnut to Gunsmoke and dedicates the Front Street replica.

The Long Branch Variety show premieres in the newly rebuilt Long Branch Saloon.

1959

John F. Kennedy visits Dodge City as part of his presidential campaign. He speaks at a noon luncheon at the Civic Center and he was made an honorary Marshal by the Jaycees and he was presented with a cowboy hat by Marshal Ramon House and the Dodge City Posse.

1960

Rodeo and Fiesta Days merged to become “Dodge City Days”

1961

National Beef opens as Hy-Plains Dressed Beef

Members of the Dodge City Posse and Mayor Nate Reese appear in President Kennedy’s inauguration parade.

1965

The great flood of 1965 forces 1,500 residents to evacuate the area.

1970

Urban renewal project in downtown Dodge City demolishes the 1880s-era Front Street buildings in order to widen Wyatt Earp Boulevard.

New DC3 campus opens and is dedicated.

1972

Dodge City celebrates its centennial.