The Dodge City, Kansas Shootout
Our time in Colorado and the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve had come to an end and it was time to move on. History has always been my favorite subject of mine with a particular interest in the old west. Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, Doc Holiday and many others have always been focuses of my readings and a main area where they all were famous is Dodge City, Kansas.
Dodge City
Dodge City, Kansas was established in 1872 and made it’s mark as a cow town. Cowboys would drive cattle from Texas and Oklahoma to sell in Dodge City making it a booming town. Shops, saloons, brothels and many other establishments were built to cater to the industry and lawlessness prevailed. Today the Boot Hill Museum preserves much of the history and even brings it to life with shootout re-enactments and Ms. Kitty’s Variety Show.
We spent several hours at the Boot Hill starting with the museum that highlights the history of the area even before it became a booming town. We then walked through what was once the original Boot Hill Cemetery and found the old Dodge City Jail.
After enjoying time around the museum we took our seats and prepared for one of the highlights of the museum….the shootout! The museum conducts re-enactments a couple times daily on the “streets of Dodge City” between the buildings where the Dodge City Marshal has to keep law and order. The cowboys, as usual, came to town to drink in the saloon and quickly started trouble. The actors here are extremely talented and I encourage you to watch the video I made on YouTube! Be sure to like the video and subscribe to the channel. This really helps us out and the kids really do keep up with this!!
Miss Kitty’s Variety Show
After the shootout the museum puts on a variety dinner show that is the longest running show of its type in the United States. Miss Kitty’s Variety Show has a delicious dinner followed by a roughly one hour show with jokes, singing, dancing, can can girls and more. The show is family friendly and extremely interactive. I couldn’t resist interjecting several times which of course drew attention to our table. J was caught off guard by Miss Kitty when she called him “Buckshot” and my mother was wooed by Mr. Beeson!
Outside the Museum
Outside the museum has several points of interest including an old steam engine. You can get into the engine and see just how many controls were involved in the operation of these mammoth machines.
You can spend as much, or as little, time as you want in, and around, this museum. We allotted a day but I could probably have spent several days exploring. There are more videos to come from the show soon. Be sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it! Until next time…….
