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Dodge City, Kansas

Tracks of the original wagon trail used by pioneers from 1821 to 1872 are located nine miles west of town. This site, listed on the National Register of Historic Sites, contains the largest continuous stretch of clearly defined tracks along the entire route of the trail.

The ruts, formed by constant use from freight wagons and other heavily laden wagons, are deep swales that are still visible today. The Santa Fe Trail varied in width from a mile in some places to just a few feet in others. The westward expansion of the railroad replaced the well worn earth tracks with steel rails.

Also contained on the site are remnants of the Eureka Irrigating Canal, known also as the "Soule Ditch", which was begun in 1883 by Asa T. Soule. The canal was intended to divert water from the Arkansas River at what is now Ingalls, KS, 96 miles across gray and Ford counties, to Coon Creek in Edwards County. The canal reached Spearville in 1888, but the project failed when similar irrigation projects upstream and a prolonged drought during these years lowered the river's bed

The Kansas Highway Department has provided a turnout and parking area for easy access and visitors may walk to the site of the parallel tracks.

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Boot Hill Museum And Front Street

Boot Hill Museum is an accredited western history village museum located on the original site of Boot Hill Cemetery in downtown Dodge City. Life in the 19th century is interpreted through audio-visual programs, exhibits, a reconstruction of Dodge City in 1876 and old west restorations.

Dodge City, KS Museums

Dodge 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 Courses

Kansas Teachers' Hall of Fame

The Kansas Teachers' Hall of Fame is the first one of it'

Dodge City, KS Halls of Fame

Dodge 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 Tours

Gunfighters 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 Museums

Things to do near Dodge City, KS

Rural Artwork

These metal collages form two gateways between the fencing in rural Protection east on Highway 9. ...

Meade State Lake Fishing Report

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT ACCURATE FISHING REPORTS: This is just to remind you that fishing reports are given with the bes...

Aubey Route

The Aubrey Route, which left the Santa Fe Trail on the Arkansas River at Chouteau's Island and Indian Mound, west of Lakin, c...

Jetmore City Lake Camping

There are five electrical hookups for RVs and ten camping spaces....