Last updated: January 11, 2023
Place
Dodge City Old City Hall Monuments
NPS Photo
Quick Facts
Location:
The Old City Hall Monuments are located at 501 W. Spruce St. Leaving the convention or visitors bureau, turn left onto 3rd avenue. At the 3rd Street stoplight turn left onto Spruce Street, turning left again on 4th street. You will see a yellow brick building with monuments in the front yard.
Significance:
The Old City Hall Monuments commemorate the frontier days of the cattle drives that stand upon a famous burial ground of Western lore.
Amenities
1 listed
Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits
In 1872, two cowboys who were camped on a hillside west of Dodge City had a gunfight. One was killed; the murderer fled. The dead man, friendless and unknown, was wrapped in a blanket by the townsmen and buried where he fell with his boots on. So began Boot Hill. For six years Dodge City had no official cemetery. Persons dying who had friends, enough money, or sufficient standing in the community were buried at Fort Dodge. Others, penniless or unknown were buried where it was convenient to dig a hole.
Boot Hill, now a part of Dodge City, is the most famous burial ground in all Western lore, even though it was only used until 1878. Two schools were built atop Boot Hill before the Spanish-style City Hall was erected in 1929, which still stands today.
In front of this historic place stands a cowboy statue. It was created by Dr. O.H. Simpson, a pioneer dentist. Joe Sughrue, and early day lawman, was the model. The marker on the base of the statue commemorates the frontier days of the cattle drives: “On the ashes of my campfire this city is built.”
Site Information
Location (The Old City Hall Monuments are located at 501 W. Spruce St. Leaving the convention or visitors bureau, turn left onto 3rd avenue. At the 3rd Street stoplight turn left onto Spruce Street, turning left again on 4th street. You will see a yellow brick building with monuments in the front yard.)