Front Street - Dodge City, Kansas
by Jon Burch Photography
Title
Front Street - Dodge City, Kansas
Artist
Jon Burch Photography
Medium
Photograph - Digital Photography
Description
Back in the 1870’s Dodge City, Kansas began to acquire its infamous stamp of lawlessness and gun slinging. Without local or military law enforcement, buffalo hunters, railroad workers, drifters, cowboys, and soldiers scrapped and fought, leading to the shootings where men died with their boots on.
It was during this time that the famous Long Branch Saloon was built, and even that was an Old West tale. It all began when a bunch of men were playing ball on the hot dry Kansas plains. Side wagers began as the cowboys played against the soldiers. Of course, they were tipping a few beers during the game and a bigger wager was soon made that if the soldiers lost, they would provide the building materials to construct a saloon.
In 1885, the original Dodge City Front Street buildings were destroyed by fire and as the cattle drives were ending with the coming of the railroad, they were never rebuilt.
Today you can see a reconstruction of Front Street and the Long Branch Saloon that began in 1947. Located on a section of the original 1870’s cemetery, the buildings represent Dodge City as it appeared in 1876. Carefully researched through historic photographs and newspapers, you feel as if you’re stepping into the past when you enter the grounds of the Boot Hill Museum.
Some digital effects were applied to the original image after the photograph was made. No electrons were harmed during the transition.
Image copyright 2022 Jon Burch Photography.
Uploaded
August 26th, 2022
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