HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!
VFW Post 1714, Dodge City, Kansas
We took a ride on the Dodge City Historical Trolley, which was a 1-hour sightseeing tour that was very informative. We learned a lot about Dodge City and Fort Dodge. There is so much history in this location about the west - gunslingers, Indians, cattle herding, boozing, gambling, brothels, the killing of bison, and the railroad. Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson were real people and not just TV or movie characters. It was said that John Wayne actually met and spoke with Wyatt Earp, and that Wyatt moved to Los Angeles to watch movies about himself!
After our trolley tour, we went back to the RV to do some chores, since yesterday was literally spent watching the weather report! Later on, we headed out to the Boot Hill Museum where we toured a replica of what Main Street, Dodge City, Kansas was like in the late 1800s. This museum, the main street, has been relocated twice, but is an actual replica based on photos and government records. At 7:00 p.m. there was a gunfight, which was fun entertainment! Thom took lots of video and I took a few clips (see below)!
We also took a drive to the VFW, which we had driven by our first day in town. There were no parades here or services to honor our fallen heroes, which was odd. But we wanted to visit the memorials on our own to honor the soldiers who have died for our freedom!
Before I forget, the Arkansas River here in Kansas is referred to by the locals as "R-Kansas River". The R-Kansas River is bone dry here, which is quite confusing because in Arkansas the river is running so fast the boats/barges were docked and in La Junta, Colorado, approximately 215 miles west of here, it is flooding! When asked how the R-Kansas River is dry, the locals will tell you it's because of dams. I think this is one to look into. Apparently, the local government here in Dodge City is seriously contemplating putting a soccer field in the R-Kanas River!
We are headed to La Junta tomorrow for one night. We have been following the Arkansas River flooding there and the KOA has informed us we are not near the river or the flooding, thank goodness! I think I will ask the locals there about the Arkansas/ R-Kansas river dam stories!
Until next blog ... (photos below)
DODGE CITY, KANSAS - VFW POST 1714
GUNSMOKE RV PARK - OUR SHELTER TO THE RIGHT
DODGE CITY HISTORICAL TROLLEY TOUR
By the trolley is another Wyatt Earp statue where Thom joined him for a game of cards and a drink!
Stan Herd, American artist, mural in Dodge City
The Mueller-Schmidt House, 1881 - The Home of Stone, one of the oldest homes in Dodge City. It is constructed of native limestone. The stones are 2' thick and set with limestone mortar.
Meridian 100
The 100th Meridian, although an imaginary line on the surface of the earth, has long symbolized the end of the east and the beginning of the west. It figures prominently in many other designations and history of the area.
National Beef processes 6000 head of beef per day!
Over 200 acres of feeding grounds for the beef, which will be processed once they meet the weight requirements. This was quite a sight. This is a huge business for Kansas along with wheat, corn, and soy bean farming.
Fort Dodge, Kansas
Because of its location in the heart of the American Indian country, Fort Dodge served as a distribution point for rations and supplies to the Comanche, Kiowa, Arapaho, and Cheyenne Tribes. During the Fort's active military years, it played a vital role during the Plains Indian War as a base of operations for troops under the command of Brevet Major General George Custer, General Nelson Miles, General Phil Sheridan, and other army units. It is currently a Kansas Soldiers' Home.
Sights of Fort Dodge, KS
The George Custer Home, even though he never really lived here. He led the Seventh Calvary from here to the Battle of the Washita, an Indian battle fought south of the Fort in Indian Territory.
Fort Dodge Chapel, 1902
Fort Dodge, Kansas sight
Another interesting light pole metal art in Dodge City.
St. Cornelius Episcopal Church, built in 1898, the oldest church building in use in the city. This church, and many others, are located on a street once known as "Silk Stocking Avenue" - so called because of the many wealthy early day residents who built homes on this avenue.
US Highway 400, Dodge City, part of the original Santa Fe Trail.
Grain elevators, large storage units sometimes called "cathedrals of the plains" were the first agri-businesses established in Western Kansas.
BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER AT MONTANA MIKE'S
Potato skins, which were literally full of potatoes, unlike the normal skins we have had in the past! We took half home!
After seeing the home of National Beef and all those cows, Thom treated himself to a great rib eye steak! I had my usual - a pork chop! We took half of this meal home with us as well!
Just a funny sight in downtown Dodge City, Kansas!
BOOT HILL MUSEUM
One of many burial sites at Boot Hill; Steve O'Hara, 1873; a/k/a Dead Eye
Thom looks so happy to be locked up!
I look so sad, mad, scared! This is my best acting here folks!
The gunslingers are in town for an old fashioned shootout at Boot Hill!
The Cattle Sheriff who was going to check ownership papers of the cattle, which were actually stolen, therefore a shootout took place! A very cute and entertaining show!
Two of the dead gunslingers/cattle thieves after the shootout!
Before the shootout, there was an old fashioned fist fight!
Just a short clip of the shootout!
The First Union Church - "A Union of Hope and Faith; the Legacy that Changed Dodge City". In 1874, the Rev. Ormond Wright began preaching to Dodge city citizens in saloons and dance halls. By 1876, Wright was preaching in the first church in Dodge City.
Main Street, Dodge City, KS in the late 1800s
The Blacksmith & Wheelwright Shop, believed to date from the 1870s to 1880s.
The State Bank of Dodge City, founded in 1882 by many prominent Dodge citizens.
Undertaker's Supplies - Jacob Collar, Undertaker, 1870s
The Saratoga Saloon, owned by C. M. Beeson and W. Harris
John Tyler's Tonsorial Parlor
The Superior School House built in 1915, served as a one room schoolhouse. The schoolhouse is an example of the typical school built in the late 1800s and early 1900s that were scattered across the Kansas prairies.
The Thrasher's Cook Shack, circa 1900, provided warm meals for many of the wheat harvest crews.
The Hardesty House, completed in 1879 by A. B. Webster, is a typical home of the 1800s.
I am enjoying your blog and pictures! I am glad that you and Thom and the cats are safe. I have been watching the weather too. Looks like you are having fun and finding out about the history of the area. Keep being safe.
ReplyDeleteThanks JoAnn! I am glad you are following the blog! I want to call you but now we are in a 2-hour time zone difference, earlier than there. Perhaps, when I wake up thinking I'm in FL I will call you! I miss our talks!
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