Preserve Fort Dodge KS

04/10/2026

THIS DAY IN FORD COUNTY HISTORY: APRIL 10, 1865
Before the stone buildings and legendary frontier tales, there was only mud. On this day in 1865, while the nation focused on the end of the Civil War, Captain Henry Pearce and a tired group of soldiers found themselves knee-deep in the realities of the Kansas frontier. They weren't constructing a fortress of grand design; they were simply trying to stay dry. Forget the neat barracks seen in movies. The earliest version of Fort Dodge was carved directly into the high banks of the Arkansas River.
• The "Dugout" Life: With scarce timber, soldiers dug shelters straight into the clay.
• The Atmosphere: Imagine cramped, damp rooms smelling of wet wool and raw earth.
• The Weather: As spring storms rolled in, "progress" was the sound of shovels scraping mud and the feeling of cold water pooling on a dirt floor.
It wasn't for the view—it was for the geography. Fort Dodge was established at a crucial junction where the Santa Fe Trail split: one route hugging the river and the other cutting into the uplands.

This rough patch of mud was actually a strategic gateway. By holding this crossroads, soldiers protected wagon trains, secured mail routes, and provided a lifeline for settlers heading toward the Southwest.
Those first shovelfuls of wet clay did more than build a temporary camp; they laid the groundwork for the transportation networks that would eventually fuel the Great Plains cattle industry and the birth of Dodge City itself.
Today, we honor the grit of those who stood guard in the rain so that the West could open for the generations to come.

The photograph, from the 11th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry records, shows Captain Henry Pearce, commander of Company C. The image has been verified by a matching Carte de Visite (CDV) in the 11th Kansas Cavalry collection. According to historical records, Captain Pearce left Fort Larned on April 6, 1865, under Ford's orders, with Company C of the 11th Kansas Cavalry and Company F of the 2nd U.S. Volunteer Infantry. Confirming these records, Captain Pearce played a key role in frontier history; his arrival at the old Santa Fe Trail campground on April 10, 1865, marked the beginning of the military outpost that eventually became Fort Dodge.

Additional information provided by Bill McFarland on Henry L. Pearce indicates that, according to verified sources, “By late April 1865, the garrison had been reinforced by two companies of the 2nd U.S. Infantry, which joined Captain Henry L. Pearce's company. However, Captain Pearce's time at Fort Dodge was cut short due to severe health issues. During his service at the post, he suffered from heart and kidney disease, conditions that would affect him for the rest of his life. He and his company were eventually mustered out at Fort Riley, Kansas, on August 7, 1865.”

To learn more, listen to the podcast. https://www.buzzsprout.com/64094/episodes/18992273

03/03/2026

01/29/2026

Kansas entering the union as a Free State was a major factor in hostilities leading to the start of the Civil War. And the day after the War ended, Fort Dodge was established! It ALL comes back around to Kansas!

01/20/2026

A great reminder of how closely tied our communities are to the history of the United States military history!

11/19/2025

🤠 Trailblazing Truth or Tall Tale? We've Cracked the Code on the "Western Trail"! 🐃🐂
A single, quiet click in a digital archive just exploded a century-old historical narrative. You think the Western Trailstarted in 1873? Think again! We followed the breadcrumb trail from glossy magazine headlines straight into the chaotic, rail-choked streets of Dodge City, Kansas, and what we found changes everything.
It wasn't longhorns that defined Dodge City's early days—it was BUFFALO HIDES. So how did a neat and tidy tale about the "Western Trail" in '73 outrun the dusty, documented truth of 1874?
The REAL Starting Gun: We've pinpointed John T. Lytle's verified government contract to feed the Sioux and the non-negotiable August 1, 1874, deadline. This date defined the first verifiable drive.
Fact Meets Fable: Enter J. Frank Dobie, the ranch-born scholar who prized a living voice over a ledger, and Frank Collinson, the English cowboy whose decades-later memories helped compress a complex historical event. A 1873 roundup became the "first drive," and a modern name—the "Great Western Trail"—was retrofitted to the past. It’s a classic case of history being streamlined for a better story!
We're not just here to debunk! We're exploring WHY these campfire tales endure, how civic branding amplifies a legend, and what happens when heritage tourism, folklore, and archival history collide.
The lesson? Don't toss out the campfire tale. Read it alongside the map.
📜 Let the archive keep the dates straight, while the storytellers keep the culture alive.
You'll see how a name, a narrative, and a single year can redirect the memory of the American West—and why holding fact and fable in tension gives us a richer, more honest past.

👉 Hit 'Like' and share if you love a good historical mystery! What's your favorite piece of Western folklore that might just be a little bit fuzzy on the facts? https://www.buzzsprout.com/64094/episodes/18214346

A quiet click in a digital archive set off a bigger question: how did a tidy tale about the  “Western Trail” in 1873 outrun the dusty, documented truth of 1874? We follow the breadcrumb trail from a glossy magazine headline to the rail-choked...

11/12/2025

Calling all Western history fans! 🤠
Join the free "Cattle Trails Showcase" this Friday to hear from best-selling author Tom Clavin! He'll be discussing his hit books like Dodge City, Tombstone, and Wild Bill.
🗓️ When: Friday, Nov. 14 at 10:00 a.m. Central 📍 Where: Free on Zoom!
Don't miss this fantastic conversation. Tag a history buff who needs to see this!
🔗 Join Zoom Meeting: https://ksu.zoom.us/j/96664273770 Meeting ID: 966 6427 3770 Passcode: CTS2021

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.

11/11/2025

November 11, 1918, 10:57 A.M. Near the Meuse River.
On November 11, 1918, at 10:57 A.M., the world transitioned from a continuous barrage of noise to an abrupt silence as World War I drew to its conclusion. The soundscape of the war had been overwhelmingly marked by the sounds of artillery and gunfire, providing a bleak backdrop for soldiers like Private First Class Thomas Shaw. At just 19 years old and suffering from the effects of mustard gas, Shaw found himself lying in the mud, overwhelmed by the odors of iron and decay.

With the announcement by his lieutenant that hostilities would cease at eleven hundred hours, Shaw anxiously watched the second hand of his wristwatch as it ticked down. At 10:58 A.M., the sound of a nearby German machine gun pierced the air, followed at 10:59 A.M. by the thump of an American Stokes mortar.

As the second hand reached the 12, a profound silence enveloped the battlefield. This silence was not one of peace but of a sudden, jarring cessation that highlighted the absence of noise. For the first time in months, Shaw heard the ringing in his ears, accompanied by an unexpected sound—a bird singing from a damaged tree.

November 11, 2025, 10:57 A.M. Maplewood, New Jersey.
Fast forward to November 11, 2025, at 10:57 A.M., the commemoration of Veterans Day took on a new meaning in Maplewood, New Jersey. In the midst of a bustling morning, graphic designer Anne Bishop navigated her way down Baker Street, preoccupied with her responsibilities and the sounds of daily life—the distant whir of a leaf blower, the rumbling of a sanitation truck, and the closure of car doors filled the air.

As she approached the town green, she noticed a gathering of veterans, primarily older men wearing VFW hats. One individual, recognizable from the local hardware store, began to play "Taps" on a trumpet. The poignant sound cut through her morning routine, prompting her to pause.

This moment echoed the significant silence that marked the end of World War I. The surrounding sounds ceased; the leaf blower turned off, and the sanitation truck halted, while a woman walking her dog paused with a contemplative expression.

For two minutes, life in Maplewood stood still, allowing a collective moment of remembrance. Anne Bishop observed her neighbor, Mr. Henderson, a Vietnam veteran, standing at attention with distant thoughts of his military past.

As the final note of "Taps" faded into the morning air at 11:01 A.M., normal activity resumed. The sanitation truck continued on its route, and the leaf blower roared back to life. Bishop’s moment of reflection revealed that Veterans Day transcended the usual celebrations; it was a solemn reminder to honor those who had sacrificed their lives and freedoms. The observance served as a necessary pause to reflect on the past and recognize the significance of the sacrifices that paved the way for the current comforts of everyday life.
Announomous

11/11/2025

📖✨ Mark Your Calendars: Author Tim Wenzl Book Signing! ✨📖
Join us at the Dodge City Legacy Center for an exciting evening with author Tim Wenzl!
This is your chance to meet Tim in person, chat about his work, and get your copy of his book signed. Whether it's a gift for the holidays or a treat for yourself, a signed book is always special!
Event Details:
Who: Author Tim Wenzl
What: Book Signing
Where: Dodge City Legacy Center - 310 Gunsmoke, Dodge City, Kansas
When: Friday, December 5, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Bring a friend and support a fantastic author. We can't wait to see you there!

10/24/2025

Explore the four captivating chapters of the WCTA flip books on The Western Cattle Trail: The Greatest Texas Cattle Trail by Gary and Margaret Kraisinger, and embark on an inspiring journey through history. https://www.westerncattletrailassoc.com/kraisinger-books.html

In the realm of Old West legends, the Western Cattle Trail stands out as a pivotal route, often overshadowed by the Chisholm Trail. Gary and Margaret Kraisinger's book, "The Western Cattle Trail: The Greatest Texas Cattle Trail," is an exhaustive research effort that positions the Western Trail, also known as the Dodge City Trail, as the most significant of the time in terms of volume and impact.

The Kraisingers provide a meticulous analysis of the trail’s route from the Rio Grande through the Indian Territory to Dodge City and beyond, supported by a wealth of primary sources like drovers' diaries and government records. Their detailed, county-by-county examination brings the trail to life, highlighting river crossings, ranching outfits, and the broader economic realities of cattle trading.

One of the book's standout features is its exceptional cartography, with detailed maps that allow readers to visualize the trail's historical path. Although it serves as a comprehensive reference tool and might overwhelm casual readers, it is invaluable for historians, genealogists, and those interested in the American cattle industry.

Overall, "The Western Cattle Trail" is a landmark achievement and an essential resource for understanding Western American history, honoring the legacy of this vital cattle highway.

The Western Cattle Trail Association (WCTA) is deeply honored to share that Gary and Margaret Kraisinger have kindly agreed to let us post excerpts from their invaluable books, “The Western: The...

09/28/2025

The Western Cattle Trail Association, in collaboration with the Dodge City/Fort Dodge/Cimarron Chapter of the Santa Fe Trail, is thrilled to announce a remarkable event that promises to be both enlightening and inspiring. We cordially invite you to join us for this special occasion on Saturday, October 4, at 1:30 p.m. at the Dodge City Public Library for a captivating Sand Creek Battle presentation led by the esteemed historian, Dr. Jeff Broome. Prepare to be enthralled as Dr. Broome employs his compelling narrative style to delve into this historic event's complexities.

Adding to this extraordinary experience, his wife, Chris Daring—a gifted musician and the National Adult Fiddling Champion of 1996—will grace the stage with a performance reflecting her deep passion for music and significant contributions to the traditional country genre. Her induction into the National Traditional Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015 is a testament to her exceptional talent and enduring dedication to her craft.

Don’t miss the chance to connect with history in a meaningful and creative way! Join us on October 4, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. for a free presentation on the Sand Creek Battle. This event is sponsored by the Dodge City Community Foundation and will be held in the lower conference room of the Dodge City Library. A book signing event will take place after the presentation.

To learn more about this presentation, select the link posted below https://www.westerncattletrailassoc.com/events.html

09/15/2025

History is often sculpted by those who emerge victorious. Yet, what if the narrative you’ve always accepted is merely a shadow of the full story? Events from the past can be concealed beneath layers of time, conveniently glossed over, or reduced to simplistic accounts. However, the evidence—like a buried treasure—has existed all along, patiently waiting for a seeker. Now, one resolute historian is ready to challenge the very foundations of our understanding. Dr. Broome has meticulously traced the intricate web of primary sources, piecing together a multifaceted reality that complicates the accepted tale. On October 4, be ready to have your understanding of history challenged. What really happened at Sand Creek? The voices of the past demand our attention. Don’t miss this important revelation. Join us at the Dodge City Library on October 4, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. https://www.westerncattletrailassoc.com/jeff-broome.html