History of the Dodge City/Fort Dodge/Cimarron Chapter
The first organizational meeting of the future Dodge City/Fort Dodge Chapter was held on December 14, 1990. At that meeting, it was determined that there was enough interest to generate a local chapter of the Santa Fe Trail Association.
The Dodge City/Fort Dodge chapter set about developing interesting and educational programs and tours to help local people understand and learn about the significance of the Santa Fe Trail. The Dodge City/Fort Dodge chapter has worked cooperatively with the Wet/Dry Routes chapter in marking significant locations along the Santa Fe Trail in this area. Members also have worked to locate and map the Santa Fe Trail where it passed through Ford County and into Gray County. At a later date, 1999, the name of our Chapter was changed as we expanded our area of coverage to include Gray County. A great amount of research has been done and recorded regarding the Santa Fe Trail and this area.
Location and Directions
The general area of concentration for the Dodge City/Fort Dodge/Cimarron chapter includes the area from the Black Pool through the various crossings of the Arkansas River of the Cimarron Crossing, in the Kansas counties of Ford and Gray counties. The Trail locations in this area are easily accessed along U. S. Highway 400 (Hwy 154) from Ford, Kansas to Fort Dodge and then west along Hwy 400 (Hwy 50) from Dodge City to Cimarron and west. Other highways, U. S. 283 and U. S. 56, will also provide access to the significant area Trail locations. Other interesting facets of the Trail in this area include the Fort Hays road from Fort Dodge to Fort Hays and the Fort Supply road from Fort Dodge to Fort Supply in Indian Territory, that were used as supply routes between the Frontier Forts.
Officers and Contact Information
President:
Jim Sherer
1908 LaMesa Drive
Dodge City, KS 67801
(620) 227-7377
info@ksheritage.org
Vice President:
Don Wiles
Dodge City, KS 67801
(620) 227-6165
Secretary:
Kathie Bell
Dodge City, KS 67801
(620) 225-5102 (H); (620) 227-8188 (W)
Treasurer:
Dixie Oringderff
Dodge City, KS 67801
(620) 227-7216
Board of Directors:
Mike Bell
Dodge City, KS 67801
(620) 225-5102 (H)
William Bunyan
Dodge City, KS 67801
(620) 227-8203
The Chapter currently has 25 people (individuals and couples) and Boot Hill Museum and Dodge City Convention and Visitors paid up.
Membership
Anyone interested in the Santa Fe Trail is welcome to join. Membership in the Dodge City/Fort Dodge Chapter is $10 for an individual and $15 for a family payable to Dixie Oringderf, 1903 Burr Parkway,
Dodge City, KS 67801. You are encouraged to also join the National Santa Fe Trail
Association with dues of $25 for an individual and $30 for a family. This should be sent to SFTA, RR3, Box 137, Larned, KS 67550. This membership will provide you with the SFTA’s newsletter, Wagon Tracks, edited by Dr. Leo Oliva, which is full of wonderful and informative articles about the Santa Fe Trail.
To download the membership form, click here.
Art Source: The painting featured at the top of this page was done by artist and SFTA member Doug Holdread. Visit Doug's Website
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