Rebuilding History

By Natalie Bright

The Dalton Gang hideout is a well-preserved piece of history. Located in Mede, Kansas, the small two-story house belonged to the gang’s sister and her husband. A tunnel runs under the side yard into the horse barn and corral, which is now the museum.

Today the tunnel is nicely cemented with stone sides for safety purposes, but it’s still in the exact location. Interviews with old timers document memories of playing in the tunnel when they were children. As I walked down the tunnel from the house back to the barn, I imagined men scurrying to their horses with spurs jingling and pistols at the ready.

Dodge City

By contrast, about 45 minutes North on Highway 283 is the town of Dodge City, Kansas. Yes, THAT Doge City! In 1967, the town council voted to participate in the government’s urban renewal and accepted funds to tear down the original and famous “Front Street”.

The historic Front Street, where famous lawmen like Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp, and Bill Tilghman worked to tame the wildest town in the west, is now a parking lot. About two blocks away is the Boot Hill Museum and a rebuilt Front Street, which to me has the feel of an amusement park setting. The highway was widened, but the proposed hotel and pedestrian malls were never completed. An impressive sculpture of a longhorn now marks the historic location. As one area historian told me, where the famous Long Branch Saloon once stood is now the spot for that Honda Civic.

Stepping into the Past

Walking the actual ground of history is an amazing experience for writers. As I walk through old forts and hideouts and homes, I try to imagine the sights, sounds, and smells of the time. I try to get a sense of the people who lived within the walls where they loved, laughed, and cried.

With that information, writers make every effort to convey these sensations through words. It’s our words that have the ability to transport readers back in time. Hopefully, our written stories transcend time and place.

Thanks

On behalf of historical writers everywhere, I want to extend kudos to those communities and to the citizens that work hard to preserve the places of our history for future generations. We are forever indebted.

Natalie Bright