We want to thank the Dodge City CVB and the local Dodge City businesses for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

1) Step Back In Time

Dodge City is filled with names that most of us will recognize immediately.  Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Bat Masterson, and even Marshall Dillon evoke images of gun-toting cowboys strolling down the wooden boardwalks. While the city has grown up, it still maintains some of its western aura that made it so memorable. Throughout the city we found nods to its cow-town past. Being a destination on the Chisholm Trail helped create Dodge City’s rough and rowdy atmosphere in the 1800’s. Some of the unsavory visitors wound up in Boot Hill Cemetery. Be sure to stop in the Visitors Center to pick up a copy of the walking tour guide and then go check out some of the sights.

2) Getting The Inside Scoop

Of course, some may want to see the highlights from the comfort of the Dodge City Trolley. This mode of transport is more comfortable and comes with a built-in tour guide. Our guide, Steve, not only chauffeured us between sights, but also filled the time with informational factoids. He even imparted some colorful tales to his presentation. By the end of our journey, we came away with a better understanding of the background of Dodge City. It certainly made it easier to associate all of the other places we visited in the city’s historical timeline. (You can read more about the trolley here.)

3) The Early Years At Boot Hill Museum

One of the most notable, and easily recognizable, places in Dodge City is Boot Hill. Most of us have grown up seeing movies or television shows that refer to this ominous destination. As children we would play cowboys with the underlying intent of not ending up in the Boot Hill Cemetery. A chance to visit this actual site was truly memorable. The Boot Hill Museum holds a large collection of memorabilia and artifacts from the city’s early years. During your visit, be sure to climb Boot Hill to check out the additional historical displays, as well as the original cemetery site. (You can read more about the Boot Hill Museum here.)

4) Rowdy Visitors

Picture the sun sinking into the horizon and casting long shadows across Front Street in old Dodge City. A small group of deputies gather along the boardwalk in front of the Longbranch Saloon. Down the street a group of rowdy cowboys strut toward the saloon. Fresh from the trail, these men are looking for a chance to spend some of their money on drinks, gambling, and a good time. With sidearms strapped to their legs, there is sure to be a ruckus in town tonight. During the summer months, this scenario is played out for action hungry guests. The engaging drama culminates with a fast action shootout in the streets of Dodge City. This family friendly activity can be found on the grounds of the Boot Hill Museum.

5) They Can-Can Dance

Once the smoke clears, it was time for us to mosey into the Longbranch Saloon to get a peek at why the cowboys were so eager to come to town. The seats must be purchased in advance, which means that if you have a ticket, you will see the show. We joined our table guests as the evening’s frivolity began. Soon everyone was laughing and toe-tapping to the entertainment being brought by this merry band of characters. Be prepared that they engage with the audience and will even invite some members up on stage.  (Read more about the gunfight and saloon show here.)

6) Teaching Opportunities

Dodge City’s western roots means that visitors will find some unusual sites during their stay. One that we had to check out was the Kansas Teachers’ Hall of Fame. Now it wouldn’t be odd to visit a site that honored teachers, but it’s the fact that they have combined it with the Gunfighters Wax Museum that adds a touch of the unusual to this place. Our visit started with touring the second floor, which is filled with dioramas detailing some of the famous lawmen, as well as quite a few unsavory characters from the Wild West days. Afterwards, we returned to the main floor to educate ourselves on the history of some of the states most outstanding educators. (You can read more about this dual subject site here.)

7) Spirits Of The Wild West

As we ventured around Dodge City, it seemed like every place we visited had some historical significance. A stop just up the hill from the Boot Hill Museum landed us at Boot Hill Distillery. Housed in the old city hall, the building sits on part of the grounds of the original Boot Hill Cemetery. While there was no discussion of ghosts, we did find some spirits inside. This is the oldest craft distillery in western Kansas, and their small batch approach allows them to have better control over the consistency of their products. A stop in their tasting room gave us a chance to sample some of their wares and we were floored by the smoothness of their products. This is a “must see” for those that appreciate the finer things in life. (You can read more about the distillery here.)

8) Kansas Suds

Speaking of firsts, Dodge City is also home to the first craft brewery in Southwest Kansas. Dodge City Brewing Company is the creation of an award winning home-brewer who wanted to spread the goodness on a larger scale. We dropped in for a lunch break and found they serve up a good selection of brews that even include some from other Kansas breweries. Add in one of their specialty pizza pies and you have the makings of a delicious meal. They also offer tasting size draws for those looking to sample a new brew variety. (You can read more about the brewery here.)

9) Memorable Meals

You knew that eventually the topic of food would come up. Fortunately, Dodge City has plenty of dining options. Being the home to some major stockyards means that beef is quite often the highlight of the menu. Don’t worry, there are plenty of other options, as well. We wouldn’t expect to eat a steak or burger at breakfast. (Although some do.) There are plenty of other choices. like the meal we had at Casey’s Cowtown Club. This meal came with a history lesson of the city, as well as a tour of the restaurant. While we didn’t feature as many restaurants as usual, we still found lots of variety. Tacos Jalisco is a great Mexican food option. If you are looking for a no-frills burger just drop by Kate’s for lunch or dinner. If you visiting the Boot Hill Museum, you may want to consider experiencing one of their Bull Fry meals. For those a little less brave, it comes with brisket, as well.

10) Morning Starters

Some mornings we find that we need an extra jolt of caffeine. Being Kansas City natives, we were floored to find that Red Beard Coffee serves up Blip coffee. The coffee from this KC roaster is one of our favorites, so you can imagine how happy this made us. Besides delectable coffee drinks, we also discovered there are some other imaginative specialty items being served in Dodge City. Choco Fruit serves up rolled ice cream, which is becoming quite a popular version of this frozen dessert. If you prefer the old style ice cream treats, you may want to drop in Paleteria Juaritos for a banana split.

11) Supporting The Locals

Timing our visit during Dodge City Days opened up some unique activities. The annual celebration runs toward the end of July and makes a trip to the city extra special. This ten day festival began in 1960 and celebrates the rich western heritage that sets Dodge City apart. That makes this annual celebration the second largest in the state of Kansas. The highly anticipated Dodge City Parade allows locals and visitors alike an opportunity to mingle in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. We grabbed some coffee at Red Beard and made our way over to the parade route to join the growing crowds. Soon the flashing lights and sirens told us it was approaching. By the time it finished, we were sure that all of the residents of Dodge City had either participated in or watched the parade. There is that much community pride there.

12) Kansas BBQ

Another key event during the Dodge City Days is the Smokin’ Saddles BBQ Contest. This KCBS sanctioned event draws teams from all over the country. With big prize money on the line, everyone is cautiously optimistic. The event is held in Wright Park, which fills with contestants. The day before the main event is filled with a special bbq contest designed to engage the younger crowd.

The Kid’s BBQ Contest has teams of children competing in the same style, but on a slightly smaller scale. Each team chooses a meat to prepare for the judges. While this event is not KCBS sanctioned, the kids still take it seriously. With adult supervision, the kids prep their steak or burger with their own special concoctions, rubs, and spice mixes. Soon the delicious aromas are wafting from the miniature grills, while team members carefully watch over the cooking. There were some amazing looking dishes at the end, so in the future we may have to volunteer to be judges, so we can get a taste. It was obvious that they are grooming the next generation of BBQ champions.

13) Big Name Entertainment

Like most celebrations, there is usually some sort of special entertainment. During Dodge City Days, they draw big name stars that wow the crowds. We had the opportunity to attend the Justin Moore concert at the United Wireless Arena. The show drew in thousands of guests who joined us in the evening of country music. Justin entertained for a couple of hours with the crowd singing along to many familiar hits.

Our trip to Dodge City opened our eyes and minds to some unique sights. As our time there ran out, we realized there was still more that we missed. The list we have compiled here does a good job at scratching the surface of the city, but we are sure there are plenty of other things you will find during your visit. Visiting during Dodge City Days will offer some special events, but there are still plenty of things to do other times of the year. We are betting you will enjoy your Wild West filled adventure to Dodge City. Which of these 13 things look the most appealing to you? Let us know your choices in the comments section below.

The post 13 Unique Reasons To Visit Dodge City Days appeared first on Our Changing Life.

We want to thank the Dodge City CVB and Dodge City Days for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

A Cast of Characters Arrive

Our Dodge City Days passes allowed us multiple entries to the Boot Hill Museum, which meant that we were able to digest this large scale museum in manageable bites. On one day we toured the museum exhibits, which are housed in a long gallery behind the false storefronts. Don’t forget the additional displays found up the hill at Boot Hill Cemetery. (You can read more about the museum here.) On a different day, we attended the annual Bull Fry, but showed up early for their daily gunfight show. The crowd assembled and anxiously awaited the arrival of the cast of characters. Soon we noticed a group of cowboys making their way down the main street toward the Longbranch Saloon.

A well rehearsed skit had the cowboys run into the local law enforcement, who forced them to disarm. The tension was high, but the Marshall and his deputies were not backing down from these frisky fellas. After some words, they finally agreed and were then allowed to make their way into the saloon.

Rowdy Cowboys

As would be expected, the combination of being on the trail for months and the excitement of the arrival in Dodge City created an atmosphere ripe for a fight. With a bunch of whooping and hollering, the group erupted through the swinging doors and out into the street.

With their sidearms surrendered, they had no choice but to settle their differences with their fists. The crowd watched with anticipation as the cast performed daring stunts during the street fight. The Marshall appeared to break up the fight and send the cowboys back to their camp. Too soon, they returned with some devious intentions, which escalated into a full blown gunfight.

Guns Blazing

With sides drawn, the two groups clashed. Pistols were drawn and shots rang out all through the street. The gunfight was a short burst of non-stop activity and then the shots faded.

One by one the participants dropped to the ground, until only the Marshall remained. A sidelined cowboy suddenly appeared to bushwhack the Marshall, but ended up getting his just rewards from a local shopkeeper. The cloud of smoke drifted away as applause erupted from the audience. This expression of gratitude brought the actors back to life and they rejoined the living. After the performance, the actors mingled with the crowd much to the delight of many of the younger ones in the audience. Soon, it was time to make our way to the dinner.

Act 2 Begins

Our dinner was a buffet style event that included a chance to sample Bull Fries. For those unfamiliar with the term, a little farther west they are known as Mountain Oysters. Crystal opted to pass on this opportunity, but I was already familiar with this dish. The meal also included some delicious BBQ brisket, as well as a great assortment of sides. With our bellies full, it was time to make our way into the Longbranch Saloon for the evening’s entertainment. The seats are predetermined, so no fighting for a space. We found ours, which were right up front, although the space is small enough that all the seats afford a great view. Soon the bar owner appeared to welcome us all in and kick off the show.

A Melodious Evening

The show is designed to be a mix of music, comedy, and dancing. The cast is energetic and engaged, and soon the audience was toe-tapping along with all the ditties.

Getting Involved

At one point of the evening, Miss Kitty and the dancers mingled with the audience as the looked for victims. It didn’t take long before they had assembled a crew of volunteers to join them on stage. A rowdy song entertained those left in the audience, as we all enjoyed the interactive fun.

Can You Can-Can?

The evening culminates with the highly anticipated Can-Can dance being performed by the dancing girls. This energetic dance kept the audience on the edge of their seats and ended with a rousing cheer. The days activities had been thoroughly entertaining, and everyone filed out with a smile on their faces. We were glad we had made our arrangements to attend when we could witness these shows.

Time Your Visit

The Boot Hill Museum is open year round, but you will want to note that the gunfights are a Summer event. If you can swing it, we would highly suggest visiting during Dodge City Days. The entire city is abuzz with activities during this late July annual festival. Just be sure to mind your P’s and Q’s, since the Marshall and his men will be watching! You certainly don’t want to do anything that would make them draw down on you. If you enjoyed this article we would love it if you left us a comment below. We enjoy hearing form all of you. Thanks!

The post Rootin-Tootin Time At Dodge City Days appeared first on Our Changing Life.

We want to thank the Dodge City CVB and the Kansas Teachers’ Hall of Fame for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

Captured in Wax

We started our tour on the second floor, which holds the Gunfighters Wax Museum. The displays are set up in dioramas that showcase some of the most commonly recognizable names from the Wild West. It is a blending of gunfighters, lawmen, and even some characters from the television show Gunsmoke. A display of the Dalton Gang reminded me of a visit to Coffeyville, Kansas during my youth. Many of the other dioramas brought back memories from other sites we have seen around the Midwest. The wax figures helped bring the stories we have read to life.

Seeing a display that included the burying of bodies at Boot Hill Cemetery was fitting, since it ended up being the resting spot for some nefarious characters. We finished our tour of the wax museum and headed back to the first floor to meet up with one of the tour guides.

First of Its Kind

The first floor is dedicated to the Kansas Teachers’ Hall of Fame. This unique space tells the stories of over 400 teachers from all across the state of Kansas. The displays cover early to present day teachers, and highlight educators who excel at their jobs. Our guide asked us what school district we lived in, and then proceeded to look up all of the teachers from there who have been honored. This interactive exhibit makes research easy. Afterwards, we were guided to displays that were specific to education and the history of Kansas. We were especially fascinated with a chart that shows the origin of the names of every county in the state of Kansas. We were surprised to find out that only one county was named after a woman and it sits near the center of the state.

We moved into the next room and found a mock classroom, complete with a variety of desks that have been used over the past decades. Some were familiar to us, while others fell into a period prior to our schooling, but after what we usually see in history museums. The Kansas Teachers’ Hall of Fame also has a large collection of schoolbooks and primers that have been collected from all corners of the state. Once again, only a few were familiar to us, but many of you may recognize more of them.

Our final stop was actually outside the museum. Here we were led to the relocated Pleasant Hill schoolhouse. This authentic building has been meticulously refurbished to bring back the days of early education in the region. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, it is the perfect end to the tour. We even got to ring the school bell. We could imagine all of the kids rushing back to class after recess. Can you remember those days?

The post Two For One – Kansas Teachers’ Hall Of Fame & Gunfighters Wax Museum appeared first on Our Changing Life.

We want to thank the Dodge City CVB for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

Opening Time

Our arrival occurred just as they were opening, so they weren’t brewing during our visit. Dodge City Brewing is the first craft brewery in southwest Kansas. They offer a nice selection of their own creations, as well as serving up a few from other Kansas breweries. The owner is an award-winning home brewer who decided to take his craft to a larger scale.

Even though the doors had just opened, it didn’t take long for others to start arriving. By the end of our visit, the place would be almost full. It’s clearly a popular place with the locals. The open and airy feel of the dining area is brightened by the large bank of windows on two sides of the room. With plenty of seating available, this place would make a great party site.

Sampling the Goods

During our visit they had around 10 brews on the menu. This will rotate, and will include at least a couple of the guests brews. Guests can order a full pour, half pour or even a sample, if they want to test it out first. This is a great option, especially for those of us who aren’t familiar with craft brews. I was excited to see a hard cider on the menu and ordered a pour. The sounds of the Tenderfoot Raspberry Sour also tickled my fancy, so I got a sample size draw. This brew has loads of raspberry flavoring popping out and made for a delicious drink.

While we were picking our drinks, we also went ahead and ordered our meal. Dodge City Brewing offers oven fired pizzas with an Old West style crust. Now we had never heard of this type, so we got a little clarification on it. The dough is hand stretched, which gives a good crispness to the final product. We liked the sound of that. They usually will have eight or nine pie choices on the menu to choose from, so you should be able to find a combination that suits everyone.

Digging In

The owners attend training at a pizza school in New York, so we expected good results and were not disappointed. The bubbly crust had a nice crisp and the toppings were plentiful and delicious. During our visit we got to see just about every pizza combination they offer. I spoke with some locals about their dining experience, and found that most were regulars. The common theme was that they come for the food and stay for the brews. A mighty fine combination of flavors. Be sure to drop into Dodge City Brewing when you make your visit to Dodge City Days.

The post Brews and Bites At Dodge City Brewery appeared first on Our Changing Life.

We want to thank the Dodge City CVB for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

On Your Left…

Our tour guide, Steve, seemed well versed on not only the layout of the city, but also some interesting tidbits of history. During the next hour, he would share many of these with the group. We find it helpful to get a local’s viewpoint, since they will usually know much more than what can be gleaned from a brochure. Our air-conditioned coach was a welcome relief from the July heat, and soon we were all comfortably scanning the horizon for the points of interest Steve was showing us.

Marshall Dillon

Dodge City has a colorful past that is tied to some famous cowboy names, real and fictional. A statue of Marshall Dillon, from the show Gunsmoke, can be found just outside of the Visitors Bureau building. The bigger than life replica of James Arness, the actor who portrayed Matt Dillon, stands watch over what was at one time the “Deadline”. This unseen, but well observed line separated the rowdy cowboys from the more respectable residents of Dodge City.

El Capitan

Dodge City has and is a cow town. They have embraced this title and it has served them well. Since the cattle drives of the late 1800’s, this city has been a welcome sight to trail weary cowboys. Along the Front Street area we came upon this statue that commemorates the importance of the Texas Longhorns. These hardy cattle were driven by droves up the Chisholm Trail to the awaiting merchants in Dodge City. This species was introduced to the lands in the 1500’s, when Spanish travelers began exploring the New World.

As our tour continued, Steve took us out to the large cattle lots that sit on the edge of the city. As we rode along, he explained the importance of this business for Dodge City, as well as the entire beef eating country. A quick stop by a large field yielded a picture perfect moment of a pair of longhorns. This calf seemed curious about our arrival, but didn’t dare wander from its mother’s side.

Everyone Loves A Parade

Dodge City Days was a perfect time to make our visit. This annual event lasts for over a week and is filled with fun events. One that we made sure to catch was the Dodge City Days Parade. Our contact at the Dodge City CVB (Convention and Visitors Bureau) had clued us in on a good spot for viewing. After grabbing some coffee at a nearby shop, we made our way to our roost. Before long we saw the long line of entrants begin to arrive. Obviously there were plenty of riders on horseback. I mean, after all this is Dodge City!

It seems like just about everybody in the city showed up for this event. They were either one of the hundreds of participants or they were standing along the curb watching. Everyone seemed to know at least a few of the people in the parade and we would occasionally hear shouts of acknowledgement. We enjoy seeing this camaraderie of neighbors showing pride in their city.

Welcome Back To The Past

Not everyone was on horseback. Some walked or rode on floats. There were plenty who ran along the edges of the streets, mingling with the crowds. Candy was tossed and handed out. Political flyers were dispersed and lots of “Hey! Haven’t seen you in a while!” comments were made. Periodically we would catch sight of some vintage vehicles as they passed our location. Cruising along the brick streets made them seem like they had traveled back in time to the days when they were new.

Something For Everyone

During the parade we also saw a few unexpected sights. A skywriter soared overhead, drawing attention away from the passing floats. After a few passes, most went back to the main attraction. When a miniature van came along, we were sure it must be remote controlled. You can imagine our surprise when we saw a head popping out from it. This was certainly an attention getter and very popular with the kids. The hot summer day gave plenty of reasons for some floats of kids to spray water on the gathered crowds, as they passed. It appears to be a common occurrence, since most welcomed the cooling spray.

We were quickly discovering that Dodge City has tons to see and do and lots of it is in the great outdoors. The downtown is amazingly walk-able, which we loved. It allowed us a chance to see all of the beautiful details in the sculptures, as well as checking out the architecture of the city. During our time at the parade, we struck up conversation with some locals beside us. It reconfirmed what many have discovered. The people of the Central U.S. are some of the friendliest and most inviting that can be found. That alone is enough of a reason to make your plans for a Dodge City visit. Of course, you will also get the added bonus of seeing an actual city that has ties back to the Wild West. Yeehaw! Did you like this article? Leave us a comment letting us know what you think about it!

The post Seeing The Sights In Dodge City, Kansas appeared first on Our Changing Life.

We want to thank the Dodge City CVB and Boot Hill Museum for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

Earliest Inhabitants

Long before the cowboys began punching cattle through the area, the native indian tribes occupied this land. The area was perfect for the roaming tribes, which followed the buffalo. Rolling hills and seemingly endless prairie sustained them. The nomadic lifestyle of the Kiowa, Comanche, Arapaho, and Cheyenne continued for many generations. This would change with the arrival of the new settlers who were bent on turning the region into farming and ranching land. The indians saw this threat to there lifestyle and fought back with marauding attacks. In 1865, Fort Dodge was established to help fend off some of these attacks. This allowed travelers along the Santa Fe Trail to use a shorter, and more direct route, which crossed close to present day Dodge City.

Soiled History

In 1872, just a year after Dodge City was established, George Hoover arrived with a wagon full of whiskey barrels. He set up shop with sod pillars supporting a wooden plank inside a tent. From that moment on, Dodge City’s history was tied to the golden nectar from oak barrels. Shortly after, the railroad arrived, and the town exploded with growth spurred on by the newly formed cattle trade. While the Texas longhorns were driven through easterly towns like Baxter Springs and Abilene, the spread of a disease caused by ticks forced the drives westward to Dodge City. A boomtown can be an exciting, yet dangerous place, especially when it is bereft of lawmen. Buffalo hunters arrived to help cull the vast herds. Nearby, an almost endless line of wagon trains traveled the Santa Fe Trail. There was money to be made in Dodge City, but there was also plenty of risks.

End of the Trail

Cowboys became a constant sight, as they moved their herds north from Texas. After months on the trail, they were ready to cut loose for a spell. A variety of saloons and brothels sprang up to service their needs and take their hard earned pay. Buffalo hunters, soldiers, cowboys, and ruffians rubbed elbows in these establishments. With whiskey flowing freely, it was only a matter of time before tempers flared and lead flew.

The popularity of Dodge City grew quickly overnight and saloons rushed to capitalize on the crowds by adding games of chance. Here fortunes were made and lost on a nightly basis. With the buffalo slaughtered, the focus was on the movement of longhorn cattle. By 1876, the cattle trade had moved to Dodge City, but the lawlessness did not diminish. Wyatt Earp was brought in to control this surge and drastic measures were engaged. A “Deadline” was originated that separated the north (quiet) side of the city from the south (rowdy) area. The railroad yards along Front Street was the dividing line.

Died With Their Boots On

The Boot Hill Museum sits on the base of Boot Hill, but also has a section that includes part of the original cemetery. It was a little surreal to walk through an area we have heard so much about over our lifetimes. Most people are familiar with the name and the television show “Gunsmoke” helped memorialize it for multiple generations. This section of the property is found on a small hill behind the People of the Plains portion of the museum, so be sure to catch it.

In the 1870’s, Dodge City didn’t have a cemetery. Most people who expired were laid to rest in nearby Fort Dodge, but this would change as the increase in drifters increased. When someone died without funds for a decent burial, the locals would haul the body to this hill for interment. Since many who wound up here had died suddenly, they were often buried with their boots on. This is where the name originated. At the end of the 1870’s the land was deemed too valuable to be used as a cemetery. The bodies were moved to Prairie Grove, and eventually moved again to Maple Grove. 

Long Arm of the Law

With the town split into two different atmospheres, the need for lawmen was apparent. Names that are synonymous with law and order were employed to keep the peace in Dodge City. Men such as Bat Masterson, Ed Masterson, Charlie Bassett, and Wyatt Earp pinned on the badge and cleared the streets. A decree was made that no sidearms would be worn in the northern (quiet) portion of the city, and this was strictly enforced. The wildness of the south side increased and by 1877, the town of 1700 people boasted 19 saloons. Dodge City was the cutting edge of the wild frontier and made even more notable by the exaggerated stories of newspapers. It did earn many of its stripes though,  from being such a den of iniquities. The term “red light district” was coined in Dodge City from the railroad men carrying their red lanterns on their visits to the town’s brothels.

Peace Comes To Dodge City

In 1882, Fort Dodge closed, as the war with the regional Indian tribes had ended. Four years later, a horrendous blizzard spelled the end to the cattle drives. Times were changing in Dodge City, and it was time for it to paint a new future for the city. While certain businesses struggled to survive, others would flourish with this new reality. Many saloons and gambling establishments closed almost overnight to move west. Doctors, lawyers, and other business owners would find a foothold in the changing environment, and Dodge City reclaimed its southern region of the town.

Farmers and ranchers became the landowners and the excitement of a frontier town subsided. Boot Hill Museum is filled with an assortment of displays that walk visitors through the timeline of the city’s development. An amazing number of artifacts are displayed in the multiple rooms that make up the museum. From the outside, Front Street looks like a simple facade, but stepping through the doors brings you into the series of spaces. You will want to reserve at least a couple of hours to see them, and even more if you want to dive into deeper research.

Even with all of the changes that took place in Dodge City, the stories of its tumultuous past would remain. The daring escapades of the outlaws and lawmen would be heralded in dime store novels for years to come. Television shows and Hollywood movies would capitalize on Dodge City’s dubious history. While the phrase “Get the Heck out of Dodge” was coined for many decades, it has changed recently to better relate to the growing tourism industry in Dodge City. These days the phrase “Get the Heck into Dodge” is more appropriate, as visitors from all over the world travel to see this last vestige of the Wild West. Isn’t it time you made your plans to visit Dodge City?

The post Gunfights, Graveyards, and Grit – Boot Hill Museum appeared first on Our Changing Life.

We want to thank the Dodge City CVB and Boot Hill Distillery for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

Relocation

In 1878, the residents of the Boot Hill Cemetery were relocated to a municipal site, and the land was used for a school for a while, and eventually the city operations. The current building, which was opened in 1929, was home to City Hall, courtrooms, police department, jail, and fire department. The building fell into disrepair until the current group of investors saw the potential and gambled on this mission. After heavy renovations, and considerable startup expenses, they finally opened for business in the summer of 2016.

Making Mash

We had the pleasure of meeting up with distiller, Mark Vierthaler, for a tour of the facility. One of the first things that was apparent about Mark is his passion for his craft. You could hear it in his voice, and feel it in the stories he shared about the place he has grown to love. Three of the owners are Kansas farmers who supply every grain that is used to produce their products. The term “from soil to sip” describes the companies all encompassing method for delivering exceptional products. Mark walked us through the intricate distilling process and showed us the tanks used to create the spirits the company sells.

…And Now We Wait

Near the end we were shown the assortment of oak barrels that are used to age their spirits. Mark explained the difference between the types of whiskeys that are sold throughout the industry, as well as the regulations that stipulate what it takes to define each type. One of the most interesting pieces of information was the guidelines surrounding the creation of bourbon. It is one of the most heavily ruled spirits that we have ever heard of, and takes four years to produce. (Google “guidelines for bourbon” sometime.) Boot Hill Distillery has plenty of stock in the aging process, but it will not be available until the Spring of 2019. We are betting there is going to be quite a party when that keg is tapped.

Custom Kegs

As our tour progressed, we made our way back into the main section of the building. In the bottling area we saw a display of smaller kegs. These are available for people or businesses to purchase, knowing that they will have to wait for them to age to perfection. We even saw one with the name of the hotel where we were staying. I’m betting it will be served in their in-house bar at the hotel. At this stage of the tour, Mark showed us a special spirit that only Boot Hill Distillery produces. Dr. Sherman’s Prickly Ash Bitters was a cure-all that was hawked in the early 1900’s. The old peddlers would travel from town to town touting it’s powerful healing magic. It took a lot of reverse engineering to determine the exact formula, but the folks at Boot Hill did it, and now the general public can enjoy this unique libation. When you stop by the distillery you will certainly want to sample a sip of this concoction.

We were so engrossed with the backstage tour that we didn’t realize that our time at Boot Hill Distillery was quickly slipping away. Mark invited us into the tasting room and we were more than happy to follow. Now we know everyone has their own favorite spirits, and mine happens to be gin. There is something pleasing about the botanical undertones of a good gin that leave a pleasant aftertaste on my tongue. When Mark offered up a taste, I could not pass it up. Wow! Now this is what good gin should taste like. It was quickly apparent that their attention to details pays off for the consumer. Obviously, we had to sample the Prickly Ash Bitters, as well. It is a complex spirit with a ton of flavors going on. We bet it would make an excellent base for a variety of cocktails. As a matter of fact, if you check out the Boot Hill Distillery link, (It’s at the top of this page.) you can find the recipes for some interesting cocktails listed under their “Spirits” tab. We purchased a bottle of their gin for home, and thanked everyone for their hospitality. Our next stop was calling us, but we left knowing we were taking a little piece of Boot Hill home with us. Are you ready to sample some of their bitters? Share your favorite drink with us in the comments section below. We may just have to give it a try. Thanks!

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