Quote:
|
Granted there would be no Gunsmoke if there was no Dodge City. But there would have been no Boot Hill tourist trade if there was no Gunsmoke.
|
I would say its safe to say we both agree Gunsmoke made Boot Hill famous but Boot Hill did not make Dodge City famous.
Do a Google on Wild West and see how many times Dodge City appears in a site with no reference to Gunsmoke. In fact the references will refer to a Dodge City long before the 1930's movie Gunsmoke.
Wikipedia, one of the top picks for Wild West, gives a description under American Old West that lists well known topics about the Old West. Take note that the only city in the list and at the top is Dodge City. Also take notice to the fact Gunsmoke appears nowhere in the description.
All one need do is read any book written about western settlement to see Dodge City owes its fame to no one but itself. From the early 1870's dodge was the focal point beyond the Missouri. It was known as "The Wickedest Little City" from the east coast to the west coast well in to the 1880's.
Why do you think dodge has played host to many famous western names such as Earp, Masterson, Wild Bill, Custer and Doc Holiday. Many of these people gained their fame AFTER coming to Dodge City. Who was Wyatt Earp before coming to dodge?
Dodge City sealed its place in the western history books long before Gunsmoke was even a thought. In my opinion those who think some movie from the 30's made Dodge City famous hasn't read their history.
Dodge City was destine for fame due to its location. It could have been called Buffalo City and still be as well known. Its not coincidence that even 300 years before Dodge City this very spot was being visited by famous people. Coronado's famed first Christian service in north America just happened to have been in the very location that would see the rise of the most well known western town.
Its no coincidence we sit at the most traveled and camped spot on the famous Santa Fe Trail. The very spot that has seen the rise and fall of not 1, not 2 but three forts meant to protect this special location in the west. Look in any other direction for hundreds and hundreds of miles and show me any other location that has had 3 forts. This location was special not only to settler's but to the Indians that lived here before the European invasion.
I believe the people that would want to visit the most famous western city aren't looking for a carnival ride painted up like Wild Bill. They want to relive Dodge City's past. They want to engage in a gunfight, shoot at wild Indians and be present at a slug-fest at the Longbranch Saloon. They want to camp out on the open prairie, witness a train/bank robbery, participate in a real western cattle drive and brave the famous Jornada(valley of death).
LIVE THE LEGEND
There is a gold mine to be recovered in potential tourism if its done right. Not some cheesy amusement park but a real visit to the old west.