Dodge City is found in Ford County Kansas. It is the county seat located on the Great Plains near the Arkansas River. The climate is classified as temperate, semi arid. As one the windiest cities in the United States, it has frequent tornadoes. Its highest recorded temperature was 110 degrees Fahrenheit recorded in 1998 and its lowest temperature recorded was 26 below zero degrees Fahrenheit recorded in 1899.
Dodge City, Kansas is rich in western heritage as one of the wildest of the wild, wild, west towns. The town, founded in 1872, was preceded by several other settlements. The first was civilian built Fort Mann, established in 1846 built to protect people on route to Sante Fe, New Mexico and abandoned in 1848 because of attacks by Indians. Next established was the military built Fort Atkinson, located two miles west of the present Dodge City. Fort Atkinson, which opened in 1850 as a way of protecting people traveling westward from Indians, was abandoned in 1853. Fort Dodge was opened from 1865 to 1882. Dodge City was started in 1871 by cattleman Henry Sitler who built a house a few miles from Fort Dodge, so he could look after his cattle business in that area. In 1872, Dodge City was plotted out. The town became a focal point for economic development. Initially, trade was for buffalo hides and bones, but that changed when the railroad arrived and the shift was to cattle. From 1876 to 1884, Dodge City was the boom town of the cattle industry, known for the saloons and gambling institutions it offered cattlemen. In 1885, legislation quarantining longhorn cattle wiped out its cattle business.
Dodge City is a thriving town with a population of about 30,000. The Dodge City, Kansas business directory has numerous listings. The meat packing industry, raising livestock, and agriculture, including wheat and sorghum, are important for its economy. The town is governed by a five member commission including the mayor and vice mayor. There are over sixteen educational institutions, including one community college. Because of its significance as part of the history of the old west, tourism is important and the town has many attractions including a gunfighters wax museums, raceway, zoo, theater, arts center, casino, and so many more that can be found in the Dodge City, Kansas yellow pages. Dodge City is a great place to live and a great place to visit whether just for a few hours or an extended vacation.
Written by Lyndsey Morgan
