DUGAN'S ROAD HOUSE

On The Western Trail

In March 1874, a momentous event unfolded in the annals of the cattle trail industry. John T. Lytle, a dauntless cattleman and drover, embarked on a daring journey with a colossal herd of 3,500 Texas cattle. Their destination was the Red Cloud Agency, now known as Fort Robinson, in Nebraska. This monumental expedition, spanning four states, blazed a trail and left an enduring mark on the vibrant history of American cattle droving, a testament to Lytle's indomitable spirit.
The newly established Western Trail, a name that would soon resonate across the cattle industry, swiftly surpassed the renowned Chisholm Trail system, cementing its place in history as a pivotal conduit for the cattle industry. Stretching across vast distances and enduring for an extended period, the Western Trail revolutionized the transportation of an unprecedented number of cattle, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. Its operational span from 1874 to 1884 played a crucial role in the industry's growth and evolution, significantly reshaping the landscape of cattle transportation.
The Western Cattle Trail system spanned thousands of miles and facilitated the movement of an astonishing six million cattle. This remarkable feat played a pivotal role in shaping the development of the American West. Along the trail, specific locations became iconic symbols of the cattle drives, such as Doan's Crossing, a vital resting point where cattle were watered and grazed; Dodge City, a bustling center of cattle trade and commerce; Ogallala, a significant starting point and supply center for the trail; Belle Fourche, a crucial hub for cattle markets and transactions; Miles City, a central location for the shipment of cattle to various destinations; and Fort MacLeod, an essential outpost in Canada that connected the trail to northern territories. These landmarks stand as testaments to the enduring legacy and impact of the Western Cattle Trail on the development and expansion of the Western frontier.
Gary Kraisinger, a knowledgeable historian of the Western Cattle Trail, recently shared the captivating history of Dugan's Roadhouse, a pivotal stop along the Western Trail near Dodge City. This historical site facilitated trade and travel in the American West. Dugan's Roadhouse was the first stopover for travelers south of Dodge City and a significant freight center on the Atchinson, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway. This made it a bustling hub for freight wagons destined for Fort Supply and other points south as they traversed the pathway by Dugan's Road House from Dodge City.
In the 1870s, Mulberry Creek flowed gently through the landscape, adding a soft soundtrack to the surrounding scenery. Positioned about a mile and a half southeast of where we stand today, Dugan's Road House and Ranche served as a mere rest stop and a vital focal point along the bustling Fort Dodge—Fort Supply military road.

The year was 1874, and James Dugan and his wife were the proprietors of a quaint store housed in a sod building with two modest rooms and floors made of dirt. At first, their clientele consisted of soldiers and freighters traveling along the military road. Still, soon, they found themselves serving the cowboys from Texas as they journeyed along the Western Cattle Trail. The flexibility and resourcefulness exhibited by Dugan's Road House during this time were truly remarkable.
Josephine, the daughter of James Dugan, entered into matrimony with Hamilton B. Bell, a highly regarded figure in Dodge City, in the same year. Later, in 1878, Ham Bell ingeniously repurposed lumber from his Dodge Varieties Can-Can dance hall to establish a trading post next to his father-in-law's Roadhouse.

The Roadhouse and trading post were strategically positioned at the junction of two major routes. One route led northeast to Fort Dodge, while the other went north to Dodge City. This prime location made it a bustling hub for business, attracting trail drivers and travelers from various routes in Texas and the Chisholm Trail. Several Texas feeder trails, including the Jones de Plummer, the Adobe Walls/Palo Duro-Dodge City Trail, the Tascosa and Fort Bascom Trail, and the Tuttle Trail, all interconnected near or passed through Dugan's Road House on Mulberry Creek.
Notably, just north of the roadhouse location, an earlier branch of the Santa Fe Trail ran east-west toward Santa Fe, New Mexico. This area, steeped in history, also holds significant importance, as it is where Coronado passed in 1541 on his journey to Quivira. The sheer historical weight of this area is genuinely awe-inspiring.