The Dalton Gang Hideout – Meade, Kansas

History tells the story of the Dalton Gang who robbed trains for a number of years.  They were joined by others forming a rather formattable gang.  Although the Dalton brothers had all served as law enforcement officers their paths changed when Bob Dalton, who was serving as head of the Osage police, was accused of selling whiskey.  His brother Grat Dalton also got into some trouble and was dismissed as deputy marshal for “conduct unbecoming an officer”.  Then brother Emmett joined in with them in 1890 and all three were accused of stealing horses.  Bob and Emmet took off for California while Grat was arrested but had to be released because of lack of evidence.

The story of the gang goes on with the trains they robbed and the people they joined up with but being a criminal and having the law afer you all the time certainly wasn’t a pleasant way to live.

For awhile they hid out at the home of Eva Dalton Whipple, who was their sister, in Meade, Kansas.  The house that they were staying in still stands at the corner of Pearlette and Green Streets in Meade.  The couple, J.N. Whipple and his wife Eva Dalton Whipple, left the area before the “boys” were killed and one of them caught.  After the Whipples had moved away a discovery was made of a tunnel from the house to a barn built into the hillside below.  Legend has it that the tunnel was used by the gang to come and go undetected by the law.  Although during this time the tunnel was beam and dirt it was restructured by the WPA in the 1940′s with rock retaining walls and NYA crews reconstructed the tunnel and barn.

The tunnel runs for 95 feet.  If you enter in the barn you will end up in the house which is now a museum, decorated with furnishing as it would have been in Eva’s day.  The barn serves as an entrance to the attraction and houses a gift shop on the first floor and museum artifacts in the loft. 

After the gangs last train robbery in 1892 the gang split up being pursued by the law.  The Dalton boys decided to have one last go at getting money illegally, they were going to rob two banks in Coffeyville, Kansas.  As they entered the banks they were recognized by the townspeople who sent out an alarm and the community grabbed their guns and took up positions to defend the town (and their money.)  As the robbers tried to get away there was a gun battle in which four citizens and four bandits were killed.  Emmett, the sole surviving member of the gang, was seriously wounded but recovered enough to stand trial.  Although he did time, he was eventually pardoned by the Governor and spend the rest of his days in California.

If you think that’s the end of the story on the Dalton’s, you would be wrong since another brother, Bill, took the outlaw way of life.  Get all of the story when you visit the Dalton Gang Hideout.

The Hideout is open year round. It is located 4 blocks south of Hwy 54 on Pearlette St. Open Monday – Saturday 9-5, and Sunday 1-5. Admission is $4.00, with a family rate available.

Mid-America Air Museum – Liberal, Kansas

So you thought there wasn’t anything great to see or do in Liberal….right?  Well just get in the car and get there because you are in for a wide variety of delightful things to do and see.  The Mid-America Air Museum is among the great sites.  This is the largest aviation museum in Kansas and the fifth largest in the nation. It is home to more than 105 aircraft and serves as an interactive educational resource for all visitors.

Liberal, once home to a major Beech Aircraft manufacturing facility and a B-24 Liberator pilot training base during World War II, established the museum to help preserve a proud local and national aviation heritage. It is a vision started by the late Colonel Tom Thomas, Jr., who donated his personal collection of over 50 planes to the museum.

The museum interprets and preserves the history of flight through its collection of aircraft and related artifacts, its exhibits and its public programs. It strives for recognition as an outstanding air museum with engaging exhibits and a major collection of historically significant aircraft.

Independent visitors to the museum take self-guided tours. However, guided tours are available forschool, church, corporate and other tour groups. Special rates are available for groups of 10 or more. Tours must be booked in advance.

Two electric carts are available at no charge for use by elderly, disabled, or injured visitors.

Hours:
Monday – Friday
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The museum is open regular hours every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Admission:
Contact the museum at
620-624-5263

Contact the Visitors Bureau:
Phone
1-800-542-3725
Email
tourism@cityofliberal.com

Dorothy’s House – Liberal, Kansas

Enter the wonderful world of Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz with a visit to her home.  It’s right here in Liberal, Kansas. This delightful story written by L. Frank Baum was made into a movie in 1939 starting Judy Garland as Dorothy.

There probably isn’t a song that brings back more memories than "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."  The words "Somewhere, over the rainbow, way up high, There’s a land that I heard of once in a lullaby. Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue, and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true. Someday I’ll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far behind me. Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that’s where you’ll find me. Somewhere, over the rainbow, bluebirds fly. Birds fly over the rainbow, Why then – oh, why can’t I?  If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow why oh why cant I?" make you see the fabulous possibilities of growing up in the home that Dorothy grew up in.

Now you can visit that house in Liberal, Kansas. The house is a farmhouse built in 1907 and was donated to the Seward County Historical Society and moved to its present location on the grounds of Coronado Museum.

Since Dorothy’s adventures began in Kansas it only makes sense that the house she grew up in would be a place where all fans of "The Wizard of Oz" would want to visit.  Perhaps to get just a touch of the magic that surrounded Dorothy’s life.

Address:
  567 Cedar Street

Summer Hours
  (Memorial Day to Labor Day)
  Monday – Saturday
    9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Winter Hours
  (Labor Day to Memorial Day)
  Tuesday – Saturday
    9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  Closed Monday’s

Admission
  Call 620-624-7624 for current rates.
  Group rates available.

For more information about the house and the tours you can call or email the Visitors Bureau in Liberal.

 1-800-542-3725

Email:
 tourism@cityofliberal.com
 

Land of Oz – Liberal, Kansas

Just when you thought that the dream of the Land of Oz was out of your reach there appears before you the Land of Oz in Liberal!  This facility consists of 5,000 square feet of animated entertainment.  There are good and bad witches, the Munchkins, talking trees, winged monkeys, and of course, Dorothy, the Scarecrow and Tin Man as well as the loveable Cowardly Lion.  Oh, of course, Toto is there too!

Stroll along the Yellow Brick Road with Dorothy, Auntie Em or Uncle Henry as your tour guide.  Ask all the questions you want and learn even more about the wonderful world of Oz.

When you get to the end of the Road you will find Oz memorabilia on display, including the original model of Dorothy’s house used in the 1939 filming of the movie "The Wizard of Oz."  The Munchkin room is a delight in little dresses and shoes, with many pictorial accounts of the Munchkins and their careers.

Dorothy’s House was originally built in 1907.  It has been carefully restored and furnished to replicate the house shown in the movie.  It shows how Dorothy really came to believe "There’s no place like home."

When you think of Liberal you really must think of the wonderful memories of the movie and the music that have lived on for years.  The community welcomes everyone that wants to touch that bit of magic created by Dorothy and her friends.

Address:
  567 Cedar Street

Summer Hours
  (Memorial Day to Labor Day)
  Monday – Saturday
    9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Winter Hours
  (Labor Day to Memorial Day)
  Tuesday – Saturday
    9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  Closed Monday’s

Admission
  Call 620-624-7624 for current rates.
  Group rates available.

Contact the Visitors Bureau for more information: 1-800-542-3725

Email:
 tourism@cityofliberal.com
 

Prairie Museum of Art and History – Colby, Kansas

The museum is just off I-70 in Kansas and offers a wide array of the private collection of the Kuska collection.  The Kuska’s were collectors of interesting items from around the world for over 50 years.  Upon the death of the couple the family decided to move their collection to Colby.

The museum has over 40,000 items and 24,000 are from the Kuska collection.

The Kuska Collection includes glass, furniture, ceramics, toys dolls, stamps, clocks, coins, silver, jewelry and other antiques.  The impressive exhibit of over 1,000 pieces of glass is accentuated by the beautiful Bohemian and Venetian art glass and pieces by Steuben, Galle’ and Tiffany.   The exhibit showcases 18th century Meissen, plus over 1,200 pieces of outstanding ceramics from Europe, Asia and the United States.   A Victorian dollhouse highlights the gallery with an exceptional exhibit of bisque dolls. Over 1,000 dolls from all over the world make this a charming exhibit.  There are other displays so be sure to take your time and visit the museum.

Contact them :
      1905 S. Franklin, Colby, KS 67701
      Ph. (785) 460-4590
      Email: prairiem@st-tel.net
Museum Hours (Central Time Zone):
   Regular Hours:
        M-F, 9-5; Sat. & Sun., 1-5
   Winter Hours (Nov. 1 – March 31):
        Same as "Regular Hours" except closed on Monday.
Admission:
    • Adults $5
    • Children (6-16) $2
    • Senior Discount
    • Members Free

Cedar Bluff State Park – Ogallah, Kansas

This state park in Ogallah is has two separate areas to enjoy which combined equal 1,100 acres plus the fabulous Cedar Bluffw Wildlife area.    The Reservoir was completed in 1951 as a method of providing flood control for the area.  Since the reservoir is surrounded by public lands it offers a fantastic opportunity for people to come and enjoy the different outdoor recreational opportunities. 

Cedar Bluff State Park has two sections along the Reservoir, the Bluffton Area on the north shore and the Page Creek Area on the south.  The Bluffton Area has nearly 350 acres and is the more developed than Page Creek.  Page Creek is larger with 500 acres but lacks some of the amenities that are available at Bluffton.

If you are looking for a place to camp then you may want to check out Cedar Bluff State Park.  The campground is wonderful, surrounded by beautiful scenery along with things like fishing, boating and just relaxing, so whether you’re an outdoorsman, a stockbroker or an online casino pro, you can kick back and soak up the atmosphere for a while .  Temperatures in the area range from 90 during the day to 60 at night during the summer months.  In the winter it’s usually in the 30′s during the day and 10 at night so probably not a time you want to camp out.

The park is known for fishing for wipers, white bass, and catfish, and rainbow trout that are stocked in the spring in the basin below the dam.   There are 5  boating ramps, swimming, hunting, volleyball, basketball, hiking, a BMX track, and both 121 camp sites with utilities and primitive camping. Cabins are available for rent on the north side of the reservoir.  There are both primitive and modern cabins for rent.  Five of them offer a variety of styles and amenities.  It is a great place to make a base camp for hunters and fisherman alike.  The area is good for hunting whitetail deer, pheasant, turkey, dove, Canada geese and duck was well as watching the eagles in the winter.l

There are 150 foot tall, cedar covered limestone bluffs which provide you with a scenic opportunity for photos and to just sit back and admire.  Hike up and enjoy the fresh air, the wonderful smells and the exercise you will get in the wonderland of nature.

Threshing Machine Canyon is near the park.  This is the site of a Native American attack, in 1850, on a wagon train bearing a threshing machine.  It is actually located in the wildlife area.

Pets are allowed at the park, accessible parking is available. There is a covered, handicap accessible fishing dock at the park.

 There is admission charged for the park.

The park is located in Trego County.  It is 21 miles southeast of WaKeeney and 23 miles southwest of Ellis.

Cedar Bluffs State Park
south of Ogallah, Kansas

Phone:
(785)726-3212    (785) 628-8614

Fort Hays -  Hays, Kansas

The history of Fort Hays began with it being built in 1865 to protect the stage and freight wagons of the Butterfield Overland Dispatch (BOD) traveling along the Smoky Hill Trail to Denver. Despite the presence of the soldiers, Southern Cheyenne and Southern Arapaho Indians continued to confront traffic along the trail. Since the BOD went bankrupt and the line was closed there was no longer any need for the fort in May of 1866.  At this time the fort was known as Ft. Fletcher after the governor of Missouri.

In October of 1866 was reopened about a fourth of a mile down the road.  The Union Pacific was being built and needed the protection of the Army.  The fort was then renamed Fort Hays after a general that had died in the Civil War.

Some of the famous figures associated with the fort included Wild Bill Hickok, Buffalo Bill Cody, General Nelson Miles, General Philip Sheridan, and Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer. It was also the home of several well-known Indian wars regiments such as the Seventh U.S. Cavalry, the Fifth U.S. Infantry, and the Tenth U.S. Cavalry, whose black troopers were better known as buffalo soldiers. After twenty-five years of service, Fort Hays was abandoned on November 8, 1889.

Location:

1472 Highway 183 Alternate
Hays, KS 67601
 
Hours:
Tuesday – Saturday 9 AM – 5 PM
Sunday 1 – 5 PM

Admission:
Adults: $3 Seniors & Students: $2

STERNBERG MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY – HAYS, KANSAS
This is a museum that you will enjoy since the displays rotate giving you the opportunity to view the collections on display.  Although the University has over 3,750,000 items they only show a small portion of them at a time.   The permanent exhibits on the main floor of the Sternberg Museum of Natural History include fossils collected from across Kansas and (mostly) around the western US. There are also mineral exhibits and videos explaining the history of the museum and story of the collecting of the museum’s famous "Fish within a fish."
You will encounter life size displays recreating the seas of Kansas from 70 million years ago and leading up to displays of what might have been found near the shore. Some of the recreated life size prehistoric animals move or make noises.  That really adds to the experience!
Location:
Fort Hays State University
3000 Sternberg Drive
Hays, KS 67601
Phone:
(877) 332-1165
Hours:

Tuesday – Saturday 9 AM – 7 PM Sunday 1 – 7 PM
Adults: $6 4-12 & over 60: $4
 

Boot Hill Museum – Dodge City, Kansas

Dodge City, founded in 1872, was the world’s largest shipping point for Longhorn cattle.  With the cowboys coming into town after being on the roundup and trail for so long they often had lots of pent up energy and other things that they wanted to release.  Therefore, Dodge City was one of the wildest of the early frontier towns.  Enter such men as Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp and Bill Tilghman and law and order was brought to the community.

In Dodge City the Front Street buildings are reconstructions, exhibiting hundreds of original artifacts.  They represent the town as it was in 1876. 

The various exhibits throughout the museum depict life as it was.  There are over 200 original guns on display, a working print shop, an extensive collection of drug store items, an entire building that was just completely renovated and many other special exhibits.  There are approximately 20,000 artifacts displayed throughout the complex.

Step Back in History at the Boot Hill Museum

Dodge City is renowned for being one of the roughest, toughest towns in the West, and many famous gunfighters and lawmen, such as Bat Masterson, Bill Tilghman, and Wyatt Earp spent time in town. The town, founded in 1872, was known as the "Wickedest City in the West" for a time.

The Boot Hill Museum and Front Street replicate what life was like back in 1876. The fronts on all of the buildings are historically accurate, and you can see a collection of more than 200 guns from the era as well as 20,000 other artifacts.

You will also find many other great exhibits here, and this is an incredible place to spend the day.

The People of the Plains exhibit tells the story of the nomadic Indians that lived on the plains in the area. Boot Hill Cemetery houses the remains of many buffalo hunters, gunfighters, and drifters who had no money to be properly buried or returned to their home.

The Long Branch Saloon is an exact recreation of how saloons in the area looked during the latter part of the 1800s. Also, be sure to check out the working print shop.

In addition to all of the exhibits, you can see the Boot Hill Gunfighters, who recreate an Old West style gun battle in the street, or check out the Long Branch Variety Show. There you can see singers, comedians, and can-can dancers. The variety show makes for a fine evening and only costs only $7.95 per person.

If you get the chance, make sure you take the stagecoach ride, which costs $6 per person, and takes you through downtown Dodge City.

If you are visiting the historic Dodge City, there is no way that you should miss a trip to the Boot Hill Museum and Front Street. Everyone who has even a passing interest in American history or the Wild West will love this museum. It is historical, educational, and fun.

The Museum is open throughout the year. Admission during the summer is $8 for adults, $7.50 for seniors and students, and children are free. If you have a large family, you may wish to take advantage of their family rate, which is $30. During the offseason, admission prices are a bit lower: $7 for adults, $6.50 for seniors and students, kids still free, and the family rate drops to $25.

Admission: Summer – Adults $8, Seniors $7.50, Students $7.50, Children Free and Family pass $25

Off-season – Adults $7, Seniors and students $6.50 and Children are still free and a Family pass is $20.00

Hours: Memorial Day through Labor Day Open Daily 8 – 8

Off-season Monday – Saturday 9 – 5 and Sunday 1 – 5

Closed New Years Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

To complete your trip to Dodge City, consider staying there.  HotelsCombined.com provides excellent rates for all Dodge City hotels.

Fort Dodge Kansas State Soldiers Home – Fort Dodge, Kansas

Built in 1859 of sod and adobe Fort Dodge was the last US Army fort located before the Civil War and in 1865 was the first fort opened after the Civil War.  Fort Dodge was to guard travelers on the Santa Fe Trail to keep them safe from the Indians.

In 1882 the military abandoned the fort and the citizens of Dodge City purchased the old garrison and the state converted it to an Old Soldiers Home, accepting its first resident on January 1, 1890.

Today several buildings are open for tours, and visitors are welcome to walk or drive through the grounds.

Location:  714 Sheridan, Fort Dodge, Kansas 67843

Phone: 316-227-2121

Admission: Free

Open: Year round 

Lee Richardson Zoo – Garden City, Kansas

One of the largest zoos in Kansas with over 300 animals of 100 species you will have the opportunity to see some outstanding animals up close.  Although the layout of the zoo leaves something to be desired it’s worth the effort to go.

Are you interested in the animals of the USA?  At the zoo you can study the river otters as they swim and play, check out the Swift fox exhibit for something really neat.  The animals that once had free roam of the Kansas plains are here such as the majestic elk, the bison and the fleet-footed pronghorn.

Maybe you have more of an interest in South American animals, if you so you will enjoy the South American Pampas Exhibit which have llamas, alpacas and rhea while further on you will see the Baird’s tapir, this unusual animals inhabits rain forests from Southern Mexico just into South America.  Despite its pig-like appearance, the tapir is not related to pigs, but to rhinos and horses.  All tapirs are endangered due to the widespread destruction of their national habitat. 

The Wild Asia Exhibit shows you the Red panda exhibit.  These adorable animals seem to be a cross between a raccoon and a Teddy bear., they live in the frigid temperature of the Himalayan mounts to the thick coat and coloring help keep them warm and protected.

The siamangs, a tropical primate that advertises its claim to territory by hooting duets between pairs.  Their long, narrow exhibit gives them plenty of room to get up speed while brachiating from one end of the yard to the other.

Who can resist the beauty of the Snow Leopard?  The low profile of their forehead allows them to peer over rocks without giving away their position.  The smoky gray color of their spotted fur blends in perfectly with the rocky Himalayan mountainsides of their native home, whether bare or blanketed with snow and ice.

Some of the other animals are the nocturnal tokay gecko, the gigantic gaur and the Asiatic Black Bears, Malayan sun bears, Pere David’s deer, Bactrain camels and several reptiles and the Goral antelope.

In the exhibit on Africa you will see the zebra, African pygmy goats, and the Addax antelope.

Down Under you will see a breeding herd of the unusual red kangaroo.  You will also see the large, flightless emu which stands 5 feet tall which makes them too large and heavy to get off the ground, so they rely on speed and a kicking defense to foil predators.

Hours: The zoo is open 7 days a week from 8 to 6:30 April 1st through Labor Day and 8 – 4:30 after Labor Day to March 31.  The zoo is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Admission: Free if you walk through.  There is a $3 per vehicle charge if you drive through.  The drive through fee is not charged before 10 or during the months of Dec., Jan or Feb.

Directions:

From Northeast/Great Bend take State hwy 156 southwest to Garden City and junction of US 50/400/83; turn left onto US Hwy 83 (just past overpass).  Travel 1.2 miles south to Garden City/Dodge City/US Hwy 50 Business exit.  At the bottom of the ramp turn right/west onto hwy 50 Business/Fulton St.  Travel 1.5 miles to 4th St., turn left/south onto 4th St.  Zoo/Finnup Park is 3 blocks south.

From East/Dodge City travel west on US Hwy 50/400 to Garden City.  Pick up US Hwy 50 Business/Fulton St. at US Hwy 83 junction.  Travel 1.5 miles on Fulton St./US Hwy 50 Business to 4th St..  Turn left/south onto 4th St. and go 3 blocks to the zoo.

From South/Liberal take US Hwy 83 north to Garden City.  Turn left onto Hwy 83 business and travel 2 miles north to Finnup Drive.  Turn right/east onto Finnup Drive at Zoo entrance sign.

From West/Pueblo/LaJunta

Take US Hwy 50/400 to junction of US Hwy 83, turn right/south onto US Hwy 83 business then travel 1.9 miles to second stoplight (McDonalds is on the left).  At light follow US 50/83 Business by making a hard left onto Kansas Ave.  Travel .5 miles to second stoplight (Main St.) and turn right/south onto Main.  Travel 1 mile (through business district, across railroad tracks, then 3 blocks) to Finnup Drive.  Turn left/east of Finnup Dr. at Zoo entrance.

From North/Oakley/Scott City take US Hwy 83 south to Garden City and US 50/400 junction, proceed straight onto Hwy 83 Business (Taylor Ave.) travel 1.9 miles to second Stoplight (McDonalds on left).  Follow 83/50 by making hard left onto Kansas Ave. Travel .5 miles to Main St and turn right, travel 1 mile to Finnup Dr. turn left to the zoo.

Geographic Center to the United States – Lebanon, Kansas

When you look at the United States (the 48 contiguous states) and go to the center you end up at Lebanon, Kansas!  Actually, the true site is approximately 2 miles northwest of Lebanon.

Although there really isn’t much to see, there is a stone monument with a place on it that tells you that you are at the center of the USA.  There is also a little bitty Chapel titled US Center Chapel that you can visit, maybe say a prayer for the safety of our country and then probably you have seen all there is to see.

Directions: Take US Hwy 281 North 1 mile, turn west one mile on K-191 to the marker that has been placed at the end of the paved road, the actual center is about a half mile away in the center of a former hog farm so you probably don’t want to walk out there, but hey, it’s up to you!

Dodge City, Kansas has a rich and somewhat notorious history. Dodge City began as a Santa Fe Railroad stop to both supply the area residents and also to take longhorn cattle beef to the east. Cattle were driven from Texas to Dodge City starting in 1875, and the number of Texas longhorns that arrived there increased each year. With the thriving cattle trade, the city also grew in leaps and bounds. 

Dodge City earned a reputation as a wild town. Saloons numbered in the double digits, and the famous lawmen of the time earned their reputations on the streets of Dodge City. While the movie industry has exaggerated these incidents, there were still many opportunities for Wyatt Earp, the Masterson brothers, Doc Holliday, and many others to earn their places in history.

Visitors today enjoy getting a glimpse of the Old West in Dodge City. One fun way to do this is to visit the Boot Hill Museum. Built on the site of the real Boot Hill Cemetery, the Boot Hill Museum re-creates life in the 1870s in a western village. This is a chance for visitors to see why Dodge City got the nickname of "The Wickedest City in the West."

There are many exhibits on display in the Boot Hill Museum. One of these details the people on the plains who lived in the area. Other exhibits include the Beeson Gallery, the Long Branch Saloon, Hardesty House, an interesting exhibit of guns of the Old West, and the Kansas Cowboy Hall of Fame. Each of these exhibits and many more are designed to give museum visitors a genuine idea of what life what like during Dodge City’s heyday.

The museum also hosts a variety of other fun summer activities. The Occidental Saloon is the site of a nightly chuckwagon dinner that features beef brisket and apple crisp. The Boot Hill Gunfighters re-enact gunfights daily at high noon and at night on their fictitious Front Street for the enjoyment of visitors.

The Long Branch Variety Show starts after you have had your fill of the delicious chuckwagon supper and watched the gunfighters settle their differences. The variety show features singing, dancing, comedy and can-can dancers. Onlookers can enjoy a sarsaparilla or cold beer while they are entertained. There are plenty of other things to keep everyone busy throughout the day, including storytelling and learning how to do the can-can.

Located on Front Street in Dodge City, the museum has both summer and winter hours. Summer hours are in effect from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and it is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. Winter hours are from Labor Day to Memorial Day, and the museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Boot Hill Museum is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. Admission prices for summer hours are $8 for adults, $7.50 for senior citizens and children over the age of six. Children under the age of six are free, and they have a family price of $25, if that is less costly. Winter admission prices are one dollar less than summer admission prices. However, the price of admission is well worth the entertainment at Boot Hill Museum in Dodge City.

The Old West Comes Alive in Dodge City – Kansas City

The Round Barn – Mullinville Kansas

While they were much more costly to build, round barns were long ago once preferred over the standard-shaped ones. Technology has made it so that these types of barns are no longer needed, but the ones that are still standing, such as the Fromme-Birney “Round” Barn, are still a site to behold, because of their unique architecture and rarity.

Henry W. Fromme contracted German immigrant William “Pat” Campbell, working as a local carpenter, to construct a round barn in 1912. He planned to use it to house his twenty-eight draft horses and registered Percheron stallion, an import of France. The cost of this “round” barn was estimated to be close to $8,000, a cost several thousand dollars higher than that of a standard barn.

Round barns were preferred by some as they were more wind-resistant and used the space inside much more efficiently. This particular barn is not actually round, but sixteen-sided, standing fifty feet tall and seventy feet in diameter. The number sixteen appears frequently in its construction, as the domed roof is double-pitched and topped with a sixteen-sided cupola along with a six and a half foot weathervane. In the center of the barn is a sixteen-sided sixteen foot in diameter granary, encircled by a thirteen foot wide wagon area. This leaves fourteen stalls around the outside walls that are fourteen feet long. Originally the exterior of the bar was white with a green roof. It stood as a landmark in the area and often used in this manner for training World War II bomber navigators.

Shortly after the Fromme-Birney “Round” barn was constructed, the working horse was replaced by the tractor as a farm power source, leaving the barn to then be used for storing hay. Phyllis Birney was given the barn and an acre of land as a fifteenth anniversary gift from her husband Lawrence in the 1980s. She then had it listed in the National Register of Historic Places because of its architectural significance.

In 1993 Birney gave the barn to the Kiowa County Historical Society and had it restored to its original colors with the help from individual donations and a Heritage Trust Fund Grant from the Kansas State Historical Preservation office. All 2000 metal roof hip shingles were made to look like the originals with the same floral pattern. Inside, restored in the memory of Henry W. Fromme’s son, Moritz, are displays of other round barns, and life in the area circa 1912.

Visitors are now welcome at the Fromme-Birney “Round” barn which is located three and a half miles south and one and three quarter miles west of Mullinville, Kansas. While it is open daily, there is no admission fee, yet donations are always accepted. It is also available for rental for local events.