Page Contents for Dodge City, Kansas

Statistics & Facts

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Government

Chamber of Commerce.

Organizations, Churches, and Sports.

Libraries.

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Statistics & Facts

The Kansas state capital is Topeka.
The population of Dodge City is approximately 21,129 (1990), 27340 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 8,258 (1990), 8777 (2010).
The amount of land area in Dodge City is 31.264 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 0.272 sq kilometers.
The distance from Dodge City to Washington DC is 1307 miles.
The distance to the Kansas state capital is 260 miles. (as the crow flies)
Dodge City is positioned 37.75 degrees north of the equator and 100.01 degrees west of the prime meridian.

Weather

moderate. Phone (620) 225-9600 for local time & temperature. Call (620) 227-3311 for the National Weather Service
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History & History Related Items

When the Santa Fe Trail opened in 1821, the route took the travelers through the Dodge City area along the north bank of the Arkansas River as they went into Colorado. Dodge City was founded in 1872, not far from Fort Dodge, which was established in 1865. It didn't take long for Dodge City to begin to grow and it quickly became a busy center for travelers and buffalo hunters. It was at this same time that the railroad came to Dodge City. The railroad gave a strong push to the area economy. It was during this old west era that Dodge City was known by many nicknames, many of them very descriptive. Here are a few: Cowboy Capital, Queen of the Cowtowns, Wickedest Little City in America, Beautiful Bibulous Babylon of the Frontier, and Buffalo Capital of the World. Once the Buffalo were decimated, farmers gathered the bones which littered the prairie and sold them. After the buffalo were basically gone, the Longhorn Cattle of Texas took over as a major source of revenue. Millions of these cattle were driven up the "Western Drive" from Texas. The cowboys that thronged the streets of Dodge City helped greatly in establishing its reputation as a "Wicked City" in those days. It was at this time that famous lawmen such as Bat Masterson and Wyatt Earp helped to establish law and order here. Dodge had two sides in the late 1800s - the north side (of the railroad tracks) where guns could not be worn or carried in. The dividing line was the railroad tracks. On the south side, it was quite different, with guns allowed and just about anything else! The population of Dodge City changed with the season as the cowboys, gamblers and the like came in and out. Saloons were plentiful, as well as gambling and other related entertainments. Because of the nature of "settling differences" here, there began to be a great need for a place for the losers in these differences. Boot Hill Cemetery was used for only six years until 1878, but became one of the most famous cemeteries of the old west. It is now preserved in downtown Dodge City. By 1886, the cattle drives had finished and Fort Dodge had closed (1882). While the era of the cattle drive and the cowboy had basically been closed, Dodge City has kept the heritage alive through its historical preservation programs.
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Attractions

Things to see and do in Dodge City, Kansas

Learn more about Dodge City at Dodge Board
Dodge City community discussion forums. Police scanners online, news, historic information, community involvement, games, chat and much more.
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Dodge City City Government

City of Dodge City
City Hall
806 Second
Dodge City, Kansas
Phone: (620) 225-8100

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Ford County Courthouse
Gunsmoke & Central
Dodge City, Kansas
Phone: (620) 227-4550

Dodge City Chamber

Dodge City area Chamber of Commerce
4th and Spruce
Dodge City, Kansas
Phone: (620) 227-3119

Dodge City Organizations

Dodge City area Chamber of Commerce
4th and Spruce
Dodge City, Kansas
Phone: (620) 227-3119

Dodge City Libraries

Dodge City Public Library
1001 Second
Dodge City, Kansas
Phone: (620) 225-0248