Wild West Country, Kansas
This is a land of wide-open spaces, of prairie grasslands and flaxen-colored wheat fields that stretch as far as the eye can see. This is the place where the real "Wild West" began. Where buffalo hunters and cattle rustlers stirred up a ruckus in Dodge City, once called the "Wickedest Little City in America." Follow in the tracks of great lawmen like Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson and Doc Holiday. Or track down the 100-year-old secrets of the little town of Meade, where the infamous Dalton Gang once hid out. Wild West Country is a land of big horizons and large-scale wonders, such as Mighty Samson, the largest bridge of its kind in the world. The largest hand-dug well in the world. The largest meteorite of its kind. In Wild West Country, there's room to stretch your legs and your imagination -- with plenty of folklore and generous helpings of hospitality.
Explore Wild West Country
The Hugoton Meteorite
The Hugoton Meteorite was located on the J.D. Lynch farm, in Stevens County, four miles west and two miles north of Hugoton. It is now housed at the Arizona State University for the Center For Meteorite Studies and Museum of Geology at Tempe.
Hugoton, KS Natural AttractionsStan Herd Gallery
Stan Herd spent his boyhood in Protection and the influence of his early farm life and love of the outdoors shows up in his murals painted throughout Kansas on the walls of city buildings in the small towns for all visitors the see while passing through.
Meade Lake Birdwatching
Considered by many the top spot in the central United States for bird watching, the lake area is inhabited by over 300 species. From April 15 to October 15
, KS BirdwatchingHistoric House Auto Tour
Tour Larned with the Historic Houses Auto Tour, a 28 house tour with houses dating between 1880 and 1917 (15 prior to 1887). The houses are private residences, but are clearly visible.
Larned, KS ToursChouteau's Island
Chouteau's Island was the largest island of timber on the Arkansas River in this area. In the spring of 1816, Auguste Pierre Chouteau was returning to Missouri with several other fur trappers when they were attacked by a large party of Pawnee Indians. Chouteau'
Lakin, KS Pioneer HistoryOld Greeley County Courthouse
A post rock courthouse was built in Tribune in 1890, at a cost of $20,000. This three-story building was the hub of Greeley County, built on the public square. One of three oldest courthouses in Kansas, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1975
Tribune, KS Historic CourthousesFort Dodge
Fort Dodge was established April 10, 1865 by Captain Henry Pierce, 11th Kansas Cavalry, by order of Major General Grenville M. Dodge, commanding the department. Although there is some doubt, the post was probably named for Colonel Henry Dodge, 1st U. S. Dragoons.
Dodge City, KS FortsG. L. Reid Building
The G. L. Reid Building, built in 1909 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was the lawyer's office.
The cement block building still remains in service on Main Street.
George L. Reid biography ...
Tribune, KS Historic BuildingsGunfighters 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 MuseumsMueller-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 Museums