The Long Branch Saloon, a name synonymous with the spirited era of the American frontier, remains one of the most iconic establishments of the Old West. Located in the heart of Dodge City, Kansas, this legendary saloon once catered to cowboys, soldiers, and drifters, playing a pivotal role in the town’s notorious history. Today, its legacy is meticulously preserved and celebrated at the Boot Hill Museum, where visitors can still experience a taste of its past.
Dodge City in the 1870s was a burgeoning, lawless frontier town, rapidly acquiring a reputation for its wild ways and frequent gunfights. With little to no formal law enforcement, buffalo hunters, railroad workers, cowboys, and soldiers often found themselves embroiled in brawls and shootouts, giving rise to the popular phrase, ‘dying with their boots on.’ It was against this vibrant, often chaotic, backdrop that the famous Long Branch Saloon first came into existence through an unconventional tale.
The Unconventional Genesis of the Long Branch
The story of the Long Branch Saloon’s construction is as colorful as the era itself. Legend has it that the saloon was born from a casual baseball game played on the sun-baked plains of Kansas. Cowboys challenged soldiers, and as spirits flowed freely, the stakes grew higher. A significant wager was placed: if the soldiers lost, they would provide the necessary building materials for a new saloon. Fortuitously for all involved, the soldiers were defeated, and true to their word, the building supplies promptly arrived. Before long, the framework for what would become one of the West’s most famous watering holes, the Long Branch Saloon, began to take shape.
This innovative beginning underscored the improvisational and resilient spirit of the frontier. The desire for a cool place to enjoy a refreshing drink outside the blistering sun provided the impetus for an establishment that would soon become central to the social and economic life of Dodge City.
An Era of Refinement and Entertainment
In 1878, the Long Branch Saloon underwent a significant transformation when it was purchased by Chalkley Beeson and William Harris. Under their ownership, the saloon ascended to new heights of popularity and refinement, becoming the premier destination for cattlemen and prominent figures passing through Dodge City. Their commitment to offering more than just drinks turned the Long Branch into a true entertainment hub.
Chalkley Beeson’s Influence and the Cowboy Band
Chalkley Beeson, a visionary proprietor, understood the importance of entertainment. He ensured that a five-piece orchestra played nightly, providing sophisticated musical accompaniment for the saloon’s patrons. Beeson’s influence extended beyond the Long Branch; he also organized and led the renowned Cowboy Band. This celebrated ensemble toured extensively, entertaining audiences across the West at cattlemen’s conventions, concerts, and dances. Their fame even reached the nation’s capital, where they performed in Washington, D.C., at the inauguration of President William Harrison, solidifying their reputation and, by extension, that of the Long Branch Saloon itself.
The atmosphere within the saloon was always lively, catering to a diverse clientele. Gambling was a constant draw, ranging from casual games of five-cent “Chuck-a-luck” to high-stakes poker pots that could reach thousands of dollars, reflecting the bold and speculative nature of the frontier economy.
A Taste of the Wild West: Offerings at the Long Branch
The Long Branch Saloon prided itself on its extensive beverage selection, far exceeding the simple offerings one might expect in a frontier town. Patrons could enjoy a variety of non-alcoholic options, including milk, tea, lemonade, and the ever-popular sarsaparilla. For those seeking stronger libations, the saloon offered all types of alcohol, from fine champagne to refreshing beer. Anheuser-Busch was the original beer served, a testament to the saloon’s commitment to quality even in its early days.
Keeping these beverages chilled in the harsh Kansas climate was a logistical feat. In the winter, ice was harvested from the nearby river, while in the scorching summer months, it was diligently shipped by train from the mountains of Colorado, ensuring that every drink served at the Long Branch Saloon was perfectly cold. This dedication to customer comfort distinguished the Long Branch from many of its contemporaries.
Taming a Wild Town: Law and Order Arrive
During its peak, the Long Branch Saloon was one of 16 bustling and often rowdy saloons that characterized Dodge City’s turbulent Wild West days. However, the unchecked lawlessness that defined the town’s early years eventually gave way to efforts to establish order. Legendary lawmen such as Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp, Bill Tilghman, and Charlie Bassett, among others, played crucial roles in bringing a semblance of peace to the frontier settlement. Their presence and enforcement of law gradually helped to tame the once-notorious town, though the allure of establishments like the Long Branch remained.
The era of the original Long Branch Saloon, along with many of its counterparts on Front Street, came to an abrupt end in 1885 when a devastating fire swept through the area, destroying many of the iconic buildings. Concurrently, the booming cattle drives, which had been the lifeblood of Dodge City, began to wane with the expansion of the railroad and changing ranching practices. With the decline of the cattle industry and the destruction wrought by the fire, the original Front Street buildings were never rebuilt, marking the close of a significant chapter in Dodge City’s history.
The Long Branch Lives On: Boot Hill Museum’s Reconstruction
Though the original Long Branch Saloon fell victim to fire and time, its spirit was far from extinguished. In 1947, a remarkable undertaking began: the reconstruction of Front Street on a section of the original 1870s cemetery, now home to the Boot Hill Museum. This ambitious project aimed to meticulously recreate Dodge City as it appeared in 1876, offering visitors an authentic glimpse into its storied past. Extensive research, utilizing historic photographs and newspapers, guided the reconstruction, ensuring a truly immersive experience.
Exploring the Reimagined Saloon
Stepping onto the grounds of the Boot Hill Museum is like stepping back in time. The exterior of the reconstructed Long Branch Saloon was carefully modeled after historical photographs, capturing the essence of the original. While the interior does not precisely duplicate the original layout, it has been designed to be fully consistent with saloon interiors of that period, providing an authentic atmosphere. A centerpiece of the saloon is its magnificent two-piece bar, hand-carved from cherry wood in 1881 by the Brunswick Corporation, a truly genuine artifact of the era.
Adding to the historical allure are two majestic Golden Eagles perched atop the back bar. These impressive taxidermy specimens were once part of Chalkley Beeson’s personal collection. Today, due to conservation laws, it is illegal for individuals to own stuffed eagles, with rare exceptions for Native American tribes and museums that acquired them before the 1940s, highlighting the historical significance of these particular pieces.
The reimagined Long Branch Saloon at the Boot Hill Museum isn’t merely a static exhibit. During the summer months, its stage comes alive nightly with The Long Branch Variety Show performers, featuring singers, dancers, and popular characters like Chalkley Beeson and Miss Kitty, who entertain guests with lively performances reminiscent of the saloon’s heyday.
The Boot Hill Museum: A Deeper Dive into Dodge City History
Beyond the Long Branch Saloon, the Boot Hill Museum complex offers a comprehensive look at early life in Dodge City through its numerous exhibits and thousands of original artifacts. Visitors can explore a collection of over 200 authentic firearms, a working print shop, an extensive array of drug store items, a recreated Victorian-era cattleman’s home, a one-room schoolhouse, a railroad depot, a dry goods store, and a saddlery, among many other specialized exhibits. Each of the more than 20,000 artifacts on display is genuine, offering tangible connections to the past.
Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of the Long Branch Saloon
The Long Branch Saloon remains an enduring symbol of Dodge City, Kansas, and the American Wild West. From its whimsical origin story born of a baseball game wager to its transformation into a refined entertainment venue under Beeson and Harris, it captured the adventurous spirit of a bygone era. Although the original structure perished in the flames of 1885, its legacy continues to thrive through the dedicated efforts of the Boot Hill Museum. Today, visitors can still experience a taste of history, ordering an ice-cold beverage and immersing themselves in the vibrant tales of cowboys, lawmen, and pioneers that once frequented the legendary Long Branch. It stands as a powerful reminder of a time when the West was truly wild, and a saloon was often the very heart of a burgeoning town.
