Highlights from Boot Hill Museum

Buried with their boots on.  That's what happened to some folks who died in Dodge City but didn't have anyone to arrange for their burial out at Fort Dodge.  The first person was buried up on the hill, and after that it became the town's cemetery for a short while.

The Boot Hill Museum is a major attraction in Dodge City.  Originally started in 1947, this museum has expanded to showcase Dodge City history through interactive exhibits, a walk through where the original Boot Hill Cemetery was, and a reconstructed Front Street that lets one time-travel back to the days of the late 1800s.  

They call it Boot Hill because that's where the cemetery was for people who died without somewhere else to be buried, and usually with their boots on.  The historical marker reads:

This site became known as Boot Hill due to the custom of burying gunfighters with their boots on or behind their heads. It is estimated that 32 men and one woman were buried on this site. The names of many of these are unknown as they died without friends or money. Thier [sic] deaths occurred between 1872 and 1876. In 1878, the graves were moved to the newly established Prairie Grove Cemetery. 

The museum chronicles life in Dodge City and how the town developed, including highlighting the men and women who, in one capacity or another, made a contribution to its storied history.  Here are just some of them that you can read about if you're interested.

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The Front Street portion of Boot Hill Museum begins with the General Store where you can buy things and talk with the costumed reenactor shopkeeper.  Next door is the Longbranch Saloon where you can belly up to the bar.  We did - and enjoyed a refreshing Sarsaparilla (which I only learned how to spell for this blog post!).  I knew about this drink from Walt Disney's The Carousel of Progress.  The barkeep described it as Root Beer and Cream Soda getting together and having a baby. The other storefronts were what you might expect to see in a town.  

Here are some pictures from the Front Street businesses.

There is also the Hardesty House which was relocated to the Boot Hill Museum.  A church and a blacksmith shop are also on the property.

We spent about 2 1/2 hours exploring Boot Hill Museum.  The exhibits were engaging and informative.  We would recommend a visit if you're in the area.  There is plenty of free parking and the Dodge City Visitor Center is located on the same property.   

~ Cindy D.