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Cowboys lived, rode, and tamed the entire area west of the
Mississippi River, but only one town became known as the Cowboy Capital.
Dodge
City, Kansas, also known as the Queen of Cowtowns was incorporated shortly
before the Santa Fe Railroad arrived. At the time, the booming business was
buffalo bones and hides. The town also provided a social gathering place for
the soldiers from nearby Fort Dodge. (Fort Dodge was the first fort opened after
the Civil War offering protection for wagon trains, mail service, and serving
as a supply base for troops engaged in the Indian Wars.)
By 1872 when the building of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa
Fe railroad drew closer, the town was waiting, practically already bursting. It’s
said this is where the red light district was born, from the railroad workers
carrying their red caboose lanterns with them when visiting the ‘soiled doves’
already well established in Dodge.
The military had no jurisdiction in Dodge, so there was no
real law enforcement in the town. Railroad men, buffalo hunters, soldiers and
drifters were known to settle their disputes with their guns, and the infamous
Boot Hill cemetery was hastily created for those who “died with their boots on.”
Others, those with money, friends, or community standing, were buried in the
post cemetery at Fort Dodge.
With the only free bridge crossing the Arkansas (pronounced
ARE KANAS in Kansas) River many wagon trains and settlers used the route taking
them through Dodge while traveling west. Once the railroad arrived, there wasn’t even
time to build a depot (they used a box car as one) before shipping in and out
of Dodge reached unbelievable records. Wheat, hides, meat, and flour filled
dozens of cars each day, and the streets were packed with those bringing in
things to be shipped, or picking up arriving supplies. Not even mining camps
could compare to the riches being made in Dodge at the time. Everyone seemed to
have money and nothing in town cost less than a quarter. When Governor St. John
was visiting Dodge City on one occasion, he heard of a tornado that had devastated
a little town near the Nebraska state line. Within two hours he raised over
$1,000 from Dodge City residents and immediately wired the money to the other
town.
The first jail house in Dodge City wasn’t a building at all.
It was a dried up well, fifteen feet deep, in which offenders (mainly those who’d
had too much to drink) were lowered into, and once they sobered up, they were
allowed to use a ladder to climb out and be on their way. Dodge City was also
known for its chivalry to women. All women were held at high esteem. If a man—any
man—was witnessed (even unintentionally) jostling a woman, he was instantly ‘brought
to his senses’ by a local bystander.
In 1875 the cattle days were born and for the next ten years
Dodge City became the destination for many. Over five million head of cattle where
driven up the Chisholm (western branch), the Great Western, or the Texas trails
that all led to Dodge. Records indicate about 1200 people lived in the city
proper in 1877, however the population varied, more than doubling as summer
drew near the drives arrived. Gamblers, cattle buyers, prostitutes and others picked
those opportune times to call Dodge home for a few months, and with nineteen establishments
licensed to sell liquor, there was always a place to conduct business.
Well-known lawmen and gunfighters took their turn in Dodge-
Wyatt Earp; Bat, Ed, and Jim Masterson; Doc Holliday; William Tilghman; Clay
Allison; Ben and Billy Thompson; Lake Short; to name a few.
Fort Dodge closed in 1882 and a few years later the cattle drives ended,
but Dodge City remained strong. Due to its location and the numerous railroads,
it continued to be one of the greatest overland freight hubs in the country,
serving local cattlemen and farmers as well as many other businesses.
Made famous again by the TV series Gunsmoke, Dodge City has
never lost its ability to draw in the curious. Still today, over 100,000 tourists
visit Boot Hill and the historic Front Street.
Having grown up in southwestern Kansas, I’ve visited Dodge
City many times, and never failed to have a wonderful time.
All five of The Quinter Bride books—Shotgun Bride, Badland Bride, Boot Hill Bride, Guardian Bride and Wild Cat Bride--which are all currently on sale for just $2.99—were set in and/or around the Dodge City region.
6 comments:
Lauri, interesting where the tern "red light district" came from. I always wondered. Nice post.
The current draw shocks me more than anything--100,000 visitors a year! What I didn't know was that it was initially so busy because it was the only free river crossing. About that river, I was resoundly corrected when I went to Wichita several years ago. :)
Dodge City has laid claim to that for years, Caroline. I'm sure other places say the same thing happened there. :)
I'm sure you were corrected Jacquie! And it is a fun vacation place!
Great post, Lauri. My last book was set in Kansas and so is the next one, a sequel. For some reason, I have trouble thinking of Kansas as "really" western and you've reminded me that yes, it is too.
Great info about Dodge City! Imagine all those fun-loving cowboys, hell-bent for drinks, women and shooting their pistols into the air! But "red-light district" originated in France waaaay back, around 1800, due to the red lanterns the brothels were required to hang outside the door. I'm sure the tradition crossed the water to London, and then to America. Whatever the case, Dodge City was a hopping town!
Best wishes on your books, Ellen!
I've heard that too, Meg, but I'm not about to tell Dodge City they are wrong. :)
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