| 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.
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