FORD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
2025 KICKOFF CELEBRATION
A New Year of Historical Accomplishments
SINCE 1931
Ford County Historical Society Board Members (Pictured Center: Mary
Hendrix, Member, Back Leb: Soni Hughes, Treasurer, Back Right: Kent Stehlik, President)
|
Mark your calendars for an unforgettable night of inspiration and history! Join us at the Ford County Historical Society’s grand kickoff event, “A New Year of Historical Accomplishments: A 2025 Kickoff Celebration,” on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. Dive into an evening that promises to be filled with community spirit and captivating stories at the Ford County Legacy Center, located at 310 Gunsmoke Street in Dodge City. Don’t miss out on this chance to celebrate our past and look forward to what lies ahead!
The Ford County Historical Society kickstarts the festivities with a pivotal board meeting at 5:00 p.m., where new leadership will be elected to steer us into an exciting future. As the clock strikes 5:45 p.m., join us for light refreshments, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that's perfect for mingling with fellow Ford County community members. |
Prepare to be captivated as Kent Stehlik takes the stage at 6:00 p.m., sharing the remarkable accomplishments of the Historical Society and unveiling thrilling plans that lie ahead. But that's not all! Kent will spotlight the essential work of the Landmark Conservancy, setting the stage for a truly inspiring presentation by Melissa McCoy. She will delve into the passionate preservation efforts surrounding the First National Bank and the iconic Stan Herd stagecoach mural, showcasing our collective dedication to safeguarding our rich heritage. Don’t miss out on this chance to celebrate our past and look forward to an exciting future together!
But the excitement doesn’t stop there! Prepare to be captivated as Kathi Holt shares exhilarating details about the Junior Officers’ Quarters Landmark project at Fort Dodge. And to top it all off, the Dodge City Convention and Visitors Bureau will bring us up to speed on the latest innovative developments at the Ford County Legacy Center.
Hold on tight for a highlights presentation by local historian Brad Smalley, featuring "The Dodge City Saloon War and Its Significance to Modern Tourism." You'll be transported back to 1883 as he recounts the gripping showdown between gambler Luke Short and the determined political powers seeking to shut down the infamous Long Branch Saloon. Discover how this historic conflict continues to influence tourism today!
Join us for this extraordinary evening as we celebrate the rich tapestry of Ford County’s history and its vibrant connections to the present! Best of all, admission is free, and a fabulous door prize will be announced at the end of the event—don’t miss out! We can't wait to see you there!
But the excitement doesn’t stop there! Prepare to be captivated as Kathi Holt shares exhilarating details about the Junior Officers’ Quarters Landmark project at Fort Dodge. And to top it all off, the Dodge City Convention and Visitors Bureau will bring us up to speed on the latest innovative developments at the Ford County Legacy Center.
Hold on tight for a highlights presentation by local historian Brad Smalley, featuring "The Dodge City Saloon War and Its Significance to Modern Tourism." You'll be transported back to 1883 as he recounts the gripping showdown between gambler Luke Short and the determined political powers seeking to shut down the infamous Long Branch Saloon. Discover how this historic conflict continues to influence tourism today!
Join us for this extraordinary evening as we celebrate the rich tapestry of Ford County’s history and its vibrant connections to the present! Best of all, admission is free, and a fabulous door prize will be announced at the end of the event—don’t miss out! We can't wait to see you there!
The Dodge City Saloon War & Its Significance to Modern Tourism
Get ready for an unforgettable evening! Join the Ford County Historical Society as they kick off an exciting new chapter with a celebration presentation by historian Brad Smalley on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at 6:00 PM. We’ll gather at the Ford County Legacy Center for an event full of fun, history, and community spirit. Don’t miss out on being part of this special occasion!
|
Some stories do more than entertain; they breathe life into communities and ignite tourism in exciting ways. Dodge City has a rich assortment of captivating narratives that reflect its dynamic history. The challenge lies in uncovering these extraordinary tales and sharing them in a manner that resonates profoundly with visitors, creating personal and unforgettable experiences. Prepare yourself for an exhilarating journey through time, where each story invites you to immerse yourself in the vibrant spirit of Dodge City!
One of the most enthralling tales from the Wild West is the legendary Saloon War of Dodge City, a narrative that brilliantly connects a stormy past with our modern world. Mark your calendars for February 26, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. and join us at the Ford County City Legacy Center for a compelling presentation by Brad Smalley, titled "The Dodge City Saloon War and Its Significance to Modern Tourism," proudly hosted by the Ford County Historical Society. This riveting chapter from 1883 recounts the tale of a bloodless showdown involving the daring gambler Luke Short and the political forces of Dodge City, determined to shut down Short's thriving Long Branch Saloon and drive him out of town. Don't miss this rare chance to discover how this historical conflict continues to influence the dynamic landscape of modern tourism! |
|
During the latter half of the 19th century, Texas cattlemen were confronted with a formidable task. As their herds grew and settlements advanced westward, they were compelled to constantly seek new paths to guide their cattle to northern markets. The Shawnee Trail, the first to become impassable, was succeeded by the Chisholm Trail. In 1874, John T. Lytle, a true pioneer, forged a new route beyond the western frontier, spanning from the grazing ranges of Texas to Fort Robinson, Nebraska. When the U.S. Army effectively ended the Red River War in early 1875, driving the Comanche and Kiowa onto a reservation, Lytle's trail became the most popular route to the railheads in Kansas and Nebraska. It remained the most utilized until the cattle trailing industry ceased in the 1890s.
|
|
The Western Trail, a pivotal component of the cattle-driving industry, was also known as the Dodge City Trail or the Texas Trail. It originated in the hill country of Texas near present-day Kerrville, where numerous minor trails converged. During the 1880s, the drives frequently passed by Dodge City, heading to Ogallala, Nebraska, and Wyoming. Some herds even journeyed to Canada. The Western Trail was paramount in transporting over nine million longhorns, of which 75,000 head of cattle were shipped out of Dodge City annually from 1875 through 1885. These significant events underscored the trail’s monumental historical significance, leaving a profound mark on the American West.
Once a bustling thoroughfare, the Western Trail witnessed significant traffic until 1891, when it experienced a dramatic downturn. The last recorded herd to use the trail was in 1897, originating from the XIT ranch, the largest ranch in the world under the fence, in the Texas Panhandle. This was a poignant moment, symbolizing the end of an era. By the turn of the 20th century, the cattle-driving industry had ground to a halt, and with it, the Western Trail faded into the pages of history.
Once a bustling thoroughfare, the Western Trail witnessed significant traffic until 1891, when it experienced a dramatic downturn. The last recorded herd to use the trail was in 1897, originating from the XIT ranch, the largest ranch in the world under the fence, in the Texas Panhandle. This was a poignant moment, symbolizing the end of an era. By the turn of the 20th century, the cattle-driving industry had ground to a halt, and with it, the Western Trail faded into the pages of history.
Don't miss the chance to delve deeper into the history of the Western Cattle Trail. Sign up for a free Western Cattle Trail Newsletter for a limited time. The newsletter will include featured articles by noted Western authors on historical accounts of the cattle drives of the 1880s. Additionally, those who receive the free newsletter will get exclusive updates on upcoming conferences, minutes from the WCTA meetings, legislative updates to trail activities, and announcements of historical events along the trail. So, sign up today for a free, limited-time WCTA newsletter and embark on a journey through the rich history of the Western Trail.
Western Cattle Trail Association Membership Information
You can now apply for WCTA membership online by clicking on the membership application below or print a membership mail-in form by selecting the membership mailing button below. As a member of the WCTA, you open the door to a world of exciting opportunities. Your contribution will help safeguard our heritage for future generations, allowing our children and grandchildren to enjoy the rich history of the WCTA. Each membership is an essential voice for the preservation and education of the Trail. As a member, you will receive periodic newsletters about upcoming events, notifications on new postings on the WCTA Website, historical articles on the Western Cattle Trail, and minutes to the WCTA meetings, keeping you at the forefront of our activities.
The Western Cattle Trail Association deeply appreciates the ongoing support of its members, like you. Your decision to apply for a membership or to renew is a testament to your commitment to our cause. Thank you for being a part of our journey.
The Western Cattle Trail Association deeply appreciates the ongoing support of its members, like you. Your decision to apply for a membership or to renew is a testament to your commitment to our cause. Thank you for being a part of our journey.
Western Cattle Trail Dodge City Chapter Minutes
Kansas House Approves Resolution Honoring Western Trail Anniversary
On Wednesday, February 21, 2024, the Kansas House unanimously approved the resolution commemorating the Western Trail.
Message from the President of the Western Cattle Trail Association:
The Western Cattle Trail Association was established in the fall of 2016 in response to concerns about erroneous information being fed to National Park Service officials about the historic Western Cattle Trail. A group of citizens from Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Nebraska came together to forge the Western Cattle Trail Association so as to ensure the legacy of this national heritage trail was remembered and interpreted accurately and to protect and preserve its stories across the nine United States the historic trail traversed. Moreover, the WCTA adamantly promotes historical truth based on research of historic sources over fiction, myth, and political correctness. The WCTA feels strongly that only by upholding true stories will visitors to the trail worldwide connect, collaborate, and engage with all parts of the Western Cattle Trail's history.
Michael Grauer
Michael Grauer
Letter to: Senator Moran
|
Dear Senator Moran et al:
Thank you for your work on the legislation to designate the Chisholm and Western Cattle Trails as National Historic Trails. We also appreciate your attention to ameliorating the concerns of landowners facing property usurpation in regions where the trails pass. We understand that there are parties who feel the Western Cattle Trail should have the ahistorical adjective "great" attached to its National Heritage Trails designation. The Western Cattle Trail Association's mission is to protect and preserve the Western Cattle Trail and to accurately promote awareness of its historical legacy* across the nine states the history trail traversed. To that end, the WCTA relies on the extensive and unparalleled research and publications on the Western Trail by Margaret and Gary Kraisinger, whose two large volumes on the Western Trail set the standard for cattle trail research worldwide. Their decades of research reveal that not only was the adjective "great "never used by drovers or cattlemen during the trail driving period (1866-1890), it was never called "great" during the Wester Trail's primary use period (1874-1884). Moreover, only the Kraisingers have pinpointed the single instance where the adjective "great" was used by a scholar: A master's thesis submitted to Texas Technological College by Jimmy Skaggs in 1965, "The Great Western Cattle Trail to Dodge City, Kansas." Dr. Skaggs later taught economies and chaired the American Studies department at Wichita State. He never again used the adjective "great" in his numerous publications on the Western Cattle Trail and trail driving, including his seminal 1973 study The Cattle-Trailing Industry: Between Supply and Demand, 1856-1890, published by the University Press of Kansas. Clearly, to use the adjective "great" in the designation of the historic Western Cattle Trail would be to promote an error and a myth. The National Park Service has done its due diligence in separating the wheat (truth and fact) from the chaff (hyperbole and fiction). The Western Cattle Trail Association appreciates your support of the National Park Service study, which recommends using the names Chisholm and Western Trail. |
The two major cattle trails used after the Civil War were the Eastern/Chisholm and the Western. For years cowboys, historians, and the general public have confused the two trails' location and names. Trail drivers on the Eastern/Chisholm Trail crossed the Red River at Red River Station and went to the eastern Kansas railheads and sometimes on north to the Platte River in Nebraska (1867 to 1876). Trail drivers following the Western Cattle Trail crossed at Doan's Crossing on the Red River and trailed to Dodge City, Kansas and beyond as far north as the Canadian Border.
It lasted approximately twelve seasons (1874 to 1886). (Map Created By Gary Kraisinger)
|
Respectfully,
Michael R. Grauer, President, Wester Cattle Trail Association, Dodge City, Kansas Board Member, Chisholm Trail Association, Abilene, Kansas Board Member, National Drovers Hall of Fame, Ellsworth, Kansas Board Member, Kansas Cowboy Hall of Fame, Dodge City, Kansas Executive Committee, Westerners International Home Ranch, Canyon, Texas McCasland Chair of Cowboy Culture, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, OK
Michael R. Grauer, President, Wester Cattle Trail Association, Dodge City, Kansas Board Member, Chisholm Trail Association, Abilene, Kansas Board Member, National Drovers Hall of Fame, Ellsworth, Kansas Board Member, Kansas Cowboy Hall of Fame, Dodge City, Kansas Executive Committee, Westerners International Home Ranch, Canyon, Texas McCasland Chair of Cowboy Culture, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, OK
Board of DirectorsMichael Grauer: National President
Keith Wondra: President Dodge City Chapter Joel Herndon: Vice President Dodge City Chapter Mary Hendrix: Secretary Dodge City Chapter Joel Herndon: Treasurer Dodge City Chapter Ron Wilson: Legislative Representative Gary and Margaret Kraisinger: Historians |
|
|
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK
|
|