DODGE CITY, KANSAS

Thursday, Oct. 9th we pulled into a truck stop in Wakeeney, Kansas for the night. We weren't far from Dodge City and the roadways were busy with cattle trucks on their way to the two processing plants there. There was one parked in the truck lot for a while and we could hear the cows mooing. Kind of got me a little sad because I know what was in store for them the next day.

Each of the two plants in Dodge City process about 6,000 head of cattle each day.

Dodge City was founded in 1872. Dodge City was known as "The Wickedest City in America". It was also known as the "Buffalo Capital" for five years until mass slaughter destroyed the huge herds and left the prairie littered with decaying carcasses.

5 million cattle were driven up the Western Trial from Texas to Dodge City. Cowboys helped establish Dodge City's reputation as the wildest town on the western frontier.

Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson became legends in their own time as they fought to bring law and order to Dodge.

We visited the "Wild West Walk of Fame". We saw hand and boot prints in cement of Buck Taylor (Newly on Gunsmoke), Johnny Crawford (Mark McCain on the Rifleman), Justin Rumsford a well known Rodeo Clown and Harry Vold one of the largest and most well known Rodeo Stock contractors just to name a few.

They also had several buffalo including a rare white buffalo on display as well as longhorns. Large sign boards explained how both animals contributed to the development of Dodge City.

We visited the Boot Hill Museum. It was built on the original location of Boot Hill Cemetery. Several markers can still be seen.

The museum has over 60,000 objects, photos and documents on display and told the story of the early days of Dodge from 1870 to 1920, much from local citizens. There were displays about Lawman, cattlemen, outlaws, soldiers, settlers, buffalo hunters and prominent citizens plus 200 guns were on display. There was a wonderful section on Native Americans. They even had a room that was dedicated to Gunsmoke. Lots of memorabilia including a black and white TV that show scenes or Gunsmoke.

We saw the original Dodge City Jail and it contained just 2 cells. There was a one room school house, the Long Branch Saloon, a Victorian Home, General Store, Dry Goods Store, Ice Cream Parlor that sadly wasn't open this day, a Church that was actually having a wedding, a Blacksmiths Shop, Print Shop, the Dr's. Office and of course, the Outhouse.

In 1885 the original Front St. was destroyed by fire and as the cattle drives were ending with the coming of the railroad, it was never rebuilt. Reconstruction of Front St. began in 1947. The buildings represent Dodge City as it appeared in 1876. It was carefully researched through historic photographs and newspapers.

Stepping into each one of these buildings was like stepping back in time. The employees were dressed up in period clothing from the era.

Ralph and I strolled into the Long Branch Saloon. Beautiful tunes filled the Saloon as an older gentleman dressed in period clothing was happily playing the piano. The Barkeep was also dress in period clothing and soon served Ralph up with a beer and me up with the most delicious tasting sarsaparilla. Oh my gosh was it good. The museum actually bottles it and sells it in their gift shop.

Across the bar was a cowpoke standing up chatting with the Barkeep and enjoying a beer. I was looking at all the memorabilia that decorated the walls. Paintings of the cast of Gunsmoke and the original owners of the Long Branch. There is a beautiful stage and in the summer western plays are put on. I had planned on getting a picture of the cowpoke, but he left, darn it!

We walked to the General Store and there we were met my a lovely lady in period clothing named Linda. The store was outfitted just like it would have been in the 1870's. Linda took us around and showed us what are now priceless
antiques but back in the day they were for sale.

In front of the old pot belly stove there was an antique table and 2 chairs. There was a checker board game and Linda sat down with Ralph and they pushed around a few of the chips.

Linda was interested in our lifestyle. We told her all about our fun life and gave her our website. After all she was going to be on it! Linda is planning to retire from teaching soon. She looks like a schoolmarm too and she sure did fit in with the western period.

I did not tell Linda this because we were so busy gabbing with her, but hopefully she will get on our blog and see this. I think one of the most hardest jobs that there is being a school teacher. So every time I meet one, I tell them that God has a pair of gold angel wings waiting for them. So THANK YOU!

Can you imagine a waistline like that. I think I had a waist line that size when I was 8 years old!

There was a huge mural on the side of the Bank of America building.

On Sunday, Oct. 12 we got the HECK OUT OF DODGE (I just had to say that)

By the end of this week, Janna who had been teaching me how to blog, will be back at her ranch the end of the week. She will tell me how to get my pictures upright.

Happy Trails!