While planning our RV trip from Southern California to New England, Dodge City jumped off the map and beckoned us to stop and take in its history and legendary tales of the Old Wild West. We were excited to experience and learn about this infamous Kansas town.
Founded in 1872, Dodge City was established five miles from Fort Dodge in order to provide soldiers, buffalo hunters, railroad workers and drifters with stores, restaurants, hotels and entertainment. Dodge City became the largest trading post in Kansas, and lawlessness reigned. It earned a reputation for being unruly and wild. According to legend, since there was no cemetery, the dead who were penniless and unknown were “planted” atop Boot Hill with their boots on!
We hit many of Dodge City’s tourist attractions – A guided bus tour, the Boot Hill Museum, a mock gun battle, the Boot Hill Cemetery. We read tons of literature, took selfies with outlaw statues and a few legendary lawmen.
It was fun and fascinating to learn about and walk along the footsteps of the “Wickedest Town in the West,” but at some point I found myself hankering for a 21st Century experience.
That’s when we decided to taste the waters of Boot Hill Distillery. A craft distillery located atop Boot Hill, it was established in July, 2016 by three western Kansas farmers. The distillery tour provided a unique opportunity to learn the process of making all kinds of spirits – vodka, gin, bourbon, white whiskey, red eye whiskey and even Prickly Ash Bitters. And we got to sample each spirit!
During the tour we learned about the historical significance of the distillery building, which sits atop the actual Boot Hill Cemetery location. Back in 1879, 16 bodies were removed from Boot Hill and buried in Dodge City’s first official cemetery. A school was built on site, which opened in 1879 and was torn down in 1927. Construction immediately began on a Municipal Building that opened in 1929 with Dodge City Hall, a small prison and fire station. In 2014, the building was bought, renovated and Boot Hill Distillery opened its doors in 2016.
Craft Distilleries are a boutique industry and I enjoyed learning that they work together with other craft distilleries to help support each other – lending a chemist, a recipe, knowledge or advice, so that all work together to produce the best product possible.
After the tour we relaxed in the Tasting Room with one of Boot Hill Distillery’s handmade cocktails and shared a few tales. The Distillery gang are a friendly group with interesting stories to tell and tasty spirits to serve. We greatly enjoyed ourselves and consider this establishment a highlight of our Dodge City adventure.
Visit Boot Hill Distillery for yourself and you’ll discover there’s no gun smoke and mirrors. Just award-winning spirits and some really good people committed to serving a great spirited product! Visit http://Boothilldistillery.com.
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