Ford County Historical Society

09/30/2026

09/12/2026

Historic news for southwest Kansas!
The Kansas Historical Society has officially designated the Fort Dodge Junior Officers’ Quarters as Kansas’s 18th State Historic Site—making it the very first state historic site in southwest Kansas
https://shorturl.at/ibF9I

Dating back to roughly 1870, this wood-framed building stood through the bustling days of Fort Dodge and the Santa Fe Trail. After Fort Dodge closed in 1882, the grounds became the Kansas Soldiers’ Home. While the Soldiers' Home continues its vital mission of serving veterans today, the vacant quarters sadly fell into disrepair and were slated for demolition in 2017.
Thanks to over a decade of dedicated grassroots advocacy, that narrative completely changed:

2019: A Historic Preservation Fund grant kickstarted structural surveys and reuse studies.

August 2024: The quarters earned a well-deserved spot on the National Register of Historic Places.

2026: State legislation officially transferred the property to the Kansas Historical Society to secure its future!
Once restored, the site will open in partnership with the Ford County Historical Society and feature educational exhibits highlighting frontier history, Santa Fe Trail heritage, and the development of southwest Kansas.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped bring this building back from the brink of demolition to permanent preservation: Representative Jason W. Goetz, grant writer Kathleen Holt, Kansas Historical Society Executive Director Patrick Zollner, longtime leaders Kent Stehlik and Sonya Hughes, and every devoted member of the Ford County Historical Society.
Stay tuned as rehabilitation work begins to bring this incredible piece of frontier history back to life!

08/28/2026

See you tonight!

🎨🎶 AUGUST FINAL FRIDAY IS HERE! 🎶🎨

From art and live music to trivia, history, drinks, comedy, and plenty of good food, there’s something happening all around the community. Whether you’re looking to discover a new local artist, enjoy some live entertainment, challenge your friends to trivia, or simply grab a drink and spend the evening with friends, Final Friday is the perfect excuse to get out and support the local businesses, artists, organizations, and venues that make Dodge City such a great place to call home.

Here’s just a taste of what’s happening:

🎨 2nd Avenue Art Guild — Meet featured artist Gulnura Taylor at the opening reception from 5–8 PM.

🖼️ Carnegie Center — Check out the beautiful watercolor and montage work of featured artist Carol Salm, with a reception beginning at 5:30 PM.

🏛️ Ford County Legacy Center — Stop by from 5–7 PM for a farewell reception honoring longtime Ford County Historical Society Board Member Sonya Hughes.

🧠 VFW Post #1714 — Put your knowledge to the test at Trivia Night and see if you have what it takes to be the Top Banana!

🎨🍹 Boot Hill Museum — Get creative at their 7 PM Sip ’n Paint Night, complete with painting supplies, a personal meat & cheese platter, refreshments, and a cash bar.

🔎🍹 Best Cellars — Test your true-crime knowledge with True Crime Trivia at 7:30 PM while enjoying Margarita Night and food & drink specials from 6–9 PM.

🎶 Boot Hill Distillery — Enjoy live music from Ransom Gardiner on the patio, seasonal cocktails, and pizza delivered from the brewery. Come early, grab a drink, and stay for the music!

🎸🍕 Dodge City Brewing — Cory Clark & JJ Gillum take the stage from 6:30–9:30 PM. Grab some brews and pizza and enjoy the music!

😂 The Depot Theater — Brandon Killough and his traveling comedians return to the Homestead at 8 PM for a night of observational and absurdist comedy.

💎 UDALV — Pop-up with Galdamez Permanent Jewelry from 5–7 PM! Enjoy special matcha drink specials while getting your jewelry on. ✨

And that’s just what’s on the list! 👀

Final Friday is about getting out, exploring our community, and showing some love to the local businesses, artists, venues, and organizations that help make Dodge City unique. So grab your friends and family and come enjoy a night out in your town! ❤️

08/21/2026

Take a step back in time with this charming tricycle from the 1920s, once owned by Louella (McMullen) Maas. This well-loved piece of local history offers a glimpse into childhood nearly a century ago. Come see this unique artifact—and many more—on display at the Legacy Center!

08/19/2026

Have you visited our Cars and Auto Collection at the Legacy Center? Explore a fascinating display of historic automotive artifacts and discover the stories behind them. Come see it for yourself!

08/17/2026

This historic photograph features Ernest Martin, one of Dodge City's early dairymen. In 1909, he became the first person in Dodge City to bottle milk, helping modernize the local dairy industry. Martin supplied fresh milk and cream to prominent local institutions, including the Fred Harvey Hotel and St. Anthony Hospital. His dedication to quality and innovation made him an important part of the city's agricultural and business history.

08/14/2026

Step back in time and see a remarkable piece of history at the Legacy Center! On display is a Sanitary Economy King No. 6 Cream Separator, dating to around 1914. Once an essential tool on dairy farms, this beautifully preserved artifact offers a glimpse into the everyday work that helped sustain rural communities over a century ago. Don't miss the opportunity to see this unique piece of history up close—plan your visit to the Legacy Center today!

08/12/2026

Come explore our Local Business Exhibit at the Legacy Center! Featuring artifacts from a wide variety of local businesses, this exhibit celebrates the people and places that helped shape our community. Stop by and discover a piece of Dodge City's history!

08/10/2026

Take a step back in time with this photograph of Dodge City's old City Hall. Located on Second Avenue just south of the railroad tracks, this building played an important role in the city's early history.

08/07/2026

Ever wondered about the true story behind the iconic Texas Longhorn and the historic Western Cattle Trail? 🤠 Prime Western history isn't just sitting in textbook archives—it's alive, breathing, and roaming the range!
If you are passionate about frontier history, historic preservation, or authentic Western heritage, you’ll want to check out the Western Cattle Trail Association and dive into their featured spotlight on Dr. Frank Sharp.
🦬 Why History & Preservation Buffs Will Love This Story:
Uncovering the True Longhorn: As Lead Educator for the Official State of Texas Longhorn Herd at Fort Griffin State Historic Site, Dr. Sharp works tirelessly to save genetically authentic, compact frontier Longhorns—animals whose roots trace all the way back to 1493—from near-extinction caused by modern breeding trends.
Living Frontier History: From trail drive economics to interactive 19th-century frontier music workshops and podcast discussions on the legendary trail drives from Texas to Dodge City, Dr. Sharp brings Western history alive in ways that educate and inspire.
Preserving American Heritage: Discover how dedicated historians, scholars, and cattlemen are working together to safeguard the authentic living symbols of the American West.
🌐 Explore & Connect
Ready to step back in time and support authentic history preservation?
👉 Discover Dr. Frank Sharp’s work on the Western Cattle Trail Association website:
https://www.westerncattletrailassoc.com/frank-sharp.html

In the wind-swept silence of Fort Griffin, where the Texas sun bakes the mesquite to a crisp ember, Dr. Frank Sharp stands guard over a living relic. To the casual observer, the cattle resting...