| Ford
County, Kansas
Ford
County, Kansas,
located in the southwestern portion of the
state, is rich in western history and tradition.
Almost every trail that led to the undeveloped
West of the 19th century crossed here, including
the Santa
Fe Trail and the Pony
Express. Founded in April of 1873, it was
named in honor of Col. James H. Ford of the 2nd
Colorado Calvary. The population is currently
over 32,000, according to the 2000 census. The Ford
County Historical Society contains a wealth
of information about Ford County's colorful
past. The county seat is Dodge
City, one of the wildest of the early
frontier towns, tamed by such men as Wyatt Earp
and Bat Masterson.
Today Ford
County is a leading center for feeder cattle and
packing plants, as well as being a major
shipping point for cattle from the southwestern
part of the US. Two of the major employers are Excel
Corporation and National Beef. The area is
serviced by Dodge
City Regional Airport and AMTRACK.
The Southwest
Chief arrives twice daily at the train
station.
The population
is currently over 32,000, according to the 2000
census. Nearby cities include Ford,
Bucklin
and Spearville.
Fort
Dodge, which is now the Kansas Soldier's
Home, and Fort Mann, played important roles in
ensuring peaceful passage along the Santa Fe
Trail.
The citizens of
Ford County, Kansas passed a one-cent sales tax
in June of 1997. The money will be used to build
recreation
and entertainment
facilities that will help to improve the quality
of life and bring in more job opportunities. The
Dodge
City/Ford County Development Corporation
firmly believes that Dodge City will become the
"Entertainment Capital of Southwest
Kansas". The county has many incentive
and training programs in place to attract
new businesses.
Ford County has
twenty-four public parks, two golf courses, many
tennis courts and a public pool. Ford
County Lake provides fishing and extensive
biking trails. Clark
County Lake, which is only 35 miles from
Dodge City, offers boating, camping and hunting,
in season.
Dodge
City Days is one of the biggest local events
in the county. Ten days from late July to early
August are filled with attractions for all ages.
Parades, arts and crafts shows, car races, train
robbery reenactments, concerts, dances and five
nights of rodeo hosted by the Dodge
City Roundup Rodeo Association make this
quite an event. There is also the Boot
Hill Museum, one of the largest tourist
attractions in the entire state. Over 100,000
people visit the museum every year.
Ford County,
Kansas, steeped in western history and folklore,
is a very scenic and exciting place to visit or
live. With the many programs and incentives
provided by the county development corporation,
it extends a warm welcome to any new businesses
looking to expand or relocate.
<<
Back to Our Community
|
