Day 32--Dodge City

We're in cowboy country!

Fruit compote at Boot Hill B&B

Homemade pastries at Boot Hill

Charlie's badge

Breakfast this morning at Boot Hill B&B was delicious, and the service provided by Kurt and Enid was top notch. We were seated on the enclosed sun porch, where we started with a fruit compote, followed by a tray of homemade cinnamon rolls and other pastries. They were delicious! After that, Kurt brought us a plate of bacon, eggs scrambled with cheese, and potatoes cooked with herbs (Smoky didn't get the potatoes; his loss!). Hot tea, orange juice and a pitcher of iced water completed our feast.

Charlie Meade, Special Deputy
U.S. Marshall

Toward the end of breakfast, there was a knock at the door. Kurt had hinted last night that someone would be visiting. In walked Dodge City Special Deputy U.S. Marshall Charlie Meade, in full marshall regalia, including spurs on his boots. He spent about an hour telling us about the history of Dodge City, or just Dodge, as the natives call it. We learned about the early cattle drives from Texas, the cowboys who were on those 3-month long drives, and what happened in town when cows and boys arrived. 

Charlie provides walking tours of the city, and he generously offered to provide us with any information we wanted about the town. In case you need info about Dodge City, contact Charlie at 620-225-5165 or 620-253-9231. 

Can-Can dancers

After Charlie left, we drove the short distance to the historic district and visited the Boot Hill Museum, where there were some informative displays on the Native Americans of this area and the early settlers, along with a history of Dodge City. Front Street had been recreated as it had been in the 1870s. Several shops were operating--the Charles Rath & Co. General Store, the Long Branch Saloon, and Beatty and Kelley's Restaurant. Other shops had period furniture and displays. One fascinating one was the State Bank of Dodge City, complete with teller station and vault. 

Fist-fight at Boot Hill

At noon, the street came alive, and a gun fight between some rowdy cowboys, the law, and some bystanders took place before a willing audience. The "cast" did a great job of portraying the scene, and the crowd loved it!

Deputy fires a shot

Everyone gets into the shootout.

At the museum we saw old photos of Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson. Matt Dillon wasn't there, since he didn't really exist, but the town is extremely grateful for Gunsmoke and the millions of dollars of free advertising it brought to Dodge City! The Trail of Fame memorializes these characters, both the ones who lived in Dodge City and the ones who portrayed the characters in Gunsmoke. There are also great statues of a longhorn steer and Wyatt Earp.

Longhorn steer at Boot Hill

Statue of Wyatt Earp

Tonight we returned to Bella Italia for dinner.  Smoky had salmon and shrimp and I had mushroom ravioli. Both were delicately flavored. Wonderful!!

Tomorrow we drive to Cameron, Missouri. 

Goodbye cowboys!

--Shann