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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

Fort 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 Forts

Fort 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 Cemeteries

Coronado 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 Monuments

Dodge 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 Races

Longhorn 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

Things to do near Dodge City, KS