Ford County, KS
Ford County was embraced in Peketon County which came into being in 1860, before there was even a state of Kansas. Peketon County included perhaps the western two-thirds of Kansas Territory and extended on into Colorado. At this late date no one knows how the name "Peketon" was chosen, nor why. All is supposition but surmises have been made and the consensus of opinion is that "Peketon" is of Indian origin, perhaps from the Sac language meaning, flat or low land.
Kansas and Ford County are replete with historic appeal and romantic glamour for they lay in the geographical center of the United States and were crossed by nearly every trail that led to the great undeveloped West of the 19th century. Few states and counties can match it in either trails, especially, the Santa Fe Trail and Pony Express. Just so, the story of the Santa Fe Trail is tied up with Dodge City and Old Fort Dodge.
In 1870, that part of Kansas surrounding Fort Dodge was called Buffalo Land because of the numerous herds of American Bison which grazed on the abundant grass of the rolling prairies. This region had been a hunting ground of the plains Indians, but by this time buffalo hunters belonging to the white race had make their headquarters in Dodge City. Now great inroads were made on the vast herds; for unlike the Indian, who had killed only for the supplies the buffalo might give him, the white man killed ruthlessly to see how many hides he could take to Dodge City to sell.
Explore Ford County
Kansas Teachers' Hall of Fame
The Kansas Teachers' Hall of Fame is the first one of it'
Dodge City, KS Halls of FameWright Park Free Zoo
Come to Wright Park Free Zoo for a relaxing, laid back day with your family and friends. Wright Park, the city's oldest park (1889), offers playgrounds, basketball courts, picnic areas and plenty of beautiful space.
Dodge City, KS ZoosDodge City Country Club
This demanding private course is excellent for all skill levels of golfer. The small greens are fast. The course's signature hole is #17, a 148-yard, par 3, requiring a tee shot to a green framed by large trees. Donald Sechrest designed the back nine, which was added in 1982.
Dodge City, KS Golf CoursesDodge City Raceway Park
The Dodge City Raceway is a 3/8 mile asphalt racetrack which features IMCA Modifieds, American Race Trucks, Stock cars, Legends, Go-karts, and Mini-type Sprint cars.
Dodge City, KS Car RacesMueller-Schmidt House Museum
Built in 1881, the Mueller-Schmidt House is the oldest Dodge City house still standing on its original site, and remains Ford County's "Home of Stone," A Cattleman's Mansion. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it was built with 21
Dodge City, KS MuseumsDodge City Trolley
Learn Dodge City's history and folklore on a narrated tour of sites where history was made. Visit original locations of the Longbranch Saloon, Gospel Hill, the "deadline" and Front Street where "shoot outs" occurred in the early days of Dodge City. Tour Fort Dodge and see the Fort's 1860
Dodge City, KS ToursCoronado Cross
The Coronado Cross stands 38' tall, marking the spot where Francisco Vasques de Coronado, a Spanish explorer, is said to have crossed the Arkansas River in search of the fabled "Cities of Gold" in 1541. When he arrived on June 29, 1541
Dodge City, KS MonumentsGunfighters Wax Museum
Visit the Gunfighters Wax museum and see the life-size wax figurines of famous western personalities like Wyatt Earp, Bat Matserson, Doc Holliday, Belle Starr, Davey Crockett, Buffalo Bill, Calamity Jane, Frank and Jesse James, Billy the Kid, Doc, Miss Kitty, Festus and many, many more!
Dodge City, KS MuseumsCarnegie Center For The Arts
Listed on the National Register of Historic Sites, the center features a variety of art exhibits. The building is a former Carnegie Library constructed in 1907. Rounded architectural features create one of the more unique of Carnegies'
Dodge City, KS ArtsFort Dodge Cemetery
Both civilians and soldiers were buried in the military cemetery. The saying then was "the rich are buried at the Fort and the cowhands and poor are buried on Boot Hill or gone to "hell." Friends and family buried Marshal Ed Masterson, Bat's brother, at Fort Dodge in 1878
Dodge City, KS CemeteriesLonghorn Park
A small herd of longhorn cattle graze on prairie grass in a 40 acre park located at the Dodge City Municipal Airport entrance. Dedicated to the millions of wild Texas longhorns driven to dodge City during the 1870s and 1880
Dodge City, KS Zoos"El Capitan"
A bronze statue by Jasper D'Ambrosi commemorates the 1875 - 1885 Texas cattle drives to Dodge City. The sculpture represents longhorns who emerged as leaders and led many drives up the dusty trail from Texas. Coronado'
Dodge City, KS Monuments