FORD COUNTY COURTHOUSE - 1913 - This building replaced another county courthouse
on the same site. Of classical architectural design, the Doric columns and pediments on four sides of
the structure are reminiscent of Greek temples. Walking/Driving Tour Brochure
Dodge City Convention and Visitors Bureau
400 W. Wyatt Earp
225-8186
The brochure outlines a self-guided walking and/or driving tour of historic sites in Dodge City, The Santa Fe Trail and Fort Dodge. An audio narration of the 1870's & 1880's Dodge City history is available on cassette tape for purchase or rental. (Cassette players available).
The Dodge City tour takes you to 19 historic points around town. In addition to those places listed in our Attractions page, you will be guided to these architecturally beautiful structures:
Ford County Courthouse | St. Cornelius Episcopal Church | Presbyterian Church | Sacred Heart Cathedral | Fidelity State Bank | First National Bank | Old Municipal Building | US Post Office | Santa Fe Depot | Sughrue Home
FORD COUNTY COURTHOUSE - 1913 - This building replaced another county courthouse
on the same site. Of classical architectural design, the Doric columns and pediments on four sides of
the structure are reminiscent of Greek temples.
ST. CORNELIUS EPISCOPAL CHURCH - 1898 - The oldest church building still in use in
Dodge City is constructed of native stone used originally in an ice house owned by Henry Sturm, an
early day businessman. Sturm donated the stone to the church when he demolished his ice house.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - 1925 - Located on a hill known as "Gospel Ridge," the present
church is built on the first Presbyterian Church (1880) site. Distinctive architectural features of the
structure include a red tile roof, interior stained glass windows, elaborate interior woodwork and
excellent exterior stonework. Gospel Ridge was the site of early day Dodge City churches, said to
have overlooked the debauchery of early day occurrences on Front Street.
SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL - 1916 - Listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. Also on Gospel Ridge and built on he first Catholic Church (1882) site, the cathedral is of Spanish Mission architectural style. Carved Bedford limestone surrounds a front doorway; George Melville Stone, a well known Kansas artist, painted the 26' x 26' altar mural and the stained glass windows are by Emil Frei. The Cathedral is open for viewing.
FIDELITY STATE BANK - 1916 - The building's classical architectural style was common to financial institutions at the time of the bank's construction. Original organizers of the bank, R.W. Evans and George Hoover, made their fortunes during the city's old west turbulent boom days.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK - 1930 - Dodge City's "skyscraper" of five stories is graced with a massive mural painted by internationally known local artist, Stan Herd. The mural is modeled from Frederick Remington's " The Old Stagecoach of the Plains" painting. Other murals by Herd can be seen throughout he community. The most prominent is a chronological historical mural on Hy-Plains Beef Packing Plant, L,C., Trail Street.
OLD MUNICIPAL BUILDING - 1929 - This building housed city offices, police and fire stations until the 1960's. Of Spanish Mission style architecture, the structure retains remnants of an earlier city hall built in 1888 then demolished when town fathers constructed this building. Rescued from the 1888 city hall is a bell now in the bell tower and a buffalo head over the doorway on the north side of the 1929 structure.
U.S. POST OFFICE - 1932 - A 1970s renovation retained the elaborate terra-cotta exterior design and wooden windows of the Italian Renaissance architecturally designed building. It is located on Central Street once known as "Silk-Stocking" Avenue by locals because early day wealthy Dodge Citians constructed homes on the street.
SANTA FE DEPOT - 1897 - The Rich-ardson Romanesque architecturally styled depot once
housed the famed Harvey House Hotel and Restaurant. It replaced another depot built on the site in
1873. Previously a large government warehouse occupied the area and served as a starting point
for many excursions into the unsettled land southwest of Dodge City by government supply wagons.
The depot is not open for viewing.
SUGHRUE HOME - 1900 - (SE corner of Central Ave. & Cedar Ave.) This home is associated with the Sughrue family who lived here from 1915-1978. P.H. Sughrue, cousin of notable lawmen Pat and Mike Sughrue, served as an early day city marshal. Decorative ironworks from early Dodge City buildings enhance the patio and garden areas. Not open for viewing.
To: Ford County
To: Dodge City