George M. Hoover
By 1872, Fort Dodge, which was establish in 1865, was not only a place for U.S. Army soldiers, but it was also a trading post and meeting place for traders along the Santa Fe Trail and for the buffalo hunters. People bought supplies at the post store or Sutler’s store. The store was also a popular spot for the drinking of alcoholic beverages. Apparently the drinking got out of hand and the commandant of Fort Dodge, Colonel Richard Dodge, allowed drinking only for the officers which essentially stopped the sale of alcohol at the Fort. This prompted a businessman, George Hoover, to take a wagon to Kansas City, fill it with a load of bought whiskey and bring it to the minimum distance allowed from the Fort which was five miles.
Supposedly, he tied a rag to a wagon wheel and figured out the distance by counting the number of rotations of the wheel multiplied by the diameter of the wheel. Here he built a sod store and bar. Other businesses followed and the rest is history. |
George M. Hoover was a French-Canadian born on August 8, 1847. He first came to western Kansas arriving in the town of Ellsworth in 1871. He started the very first business in Dodge City when he opened a watering hole for the soldiers, buffalo hunters and traders that had been denied the use of Fort Dodge's "saloon."
At the time, Fort Dodge sat on a much larger military reservation. The western border of the reservation was five miles from the Fort itself. On June 17, 1872, he and business partner, Jack McConnell, set up a sod and wood plank bar just outside those five miles, south of the future site of the A.T. & S.F. railroad tracks.
Soon other businesses followed and Hoover was among the group of men that christened the fledgling town as Buffalo City - a name that was changed to Dodge City when they applied for a U.S. Post Office. |
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There was already a Buffalo, Kansas. Hoover's sod bar eventually moved to the north side of the tracks and became a wholesale liquor outlet which expanded into Texas and Indian Territory. Ironically, Hoover was one of the first Dodge City businessmen who honored Kansas prohibition when it went into effect in 1881.
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Dodge Citians chose Hoover as their first elected mayor in 1876, succeeding P.L. Beatty who had been appointed. He was mayor four separate times and was elected twice to the State Legislature. He also served as County Commissioner several times.
Hoover opened a private bank in 1892. In 1898, along with fellow businessmen, he established the State Bank of Dodge City, which is now Fidelity State Bank. He was president of the Bank at the time of his death. |
George M. Hoover died on July 15, 1914 just shy of his 67th birthday. He wife, Margaret Carnahan, who he had married in 1876, had died a few months earlier in March. Hoover is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery alongside his wife.
George Hoover left a legacy when his estate gave the City of Dodge City over $90,000. Money from this fund went to beautification of Dodge City's parks and cemeteries. In addition to these funds, he left $10,000 to build the Hoover Pavilion in Wright Park. His monies enabled the City to buy the Municipal Airport in the 1940's.
George M. Hoover was an Episcopalian but, in his will, he gave $1,000 each to the Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, Christian, Episcopal and Baptist churches.
George Hoover left a legacy when his estate gave the City of Dodge City over $90,000. Money from this fund went to beautification of Dodge City's parks and cemeteries. In addition to these funds, he left $10,000 to build the Hoover Pavilion in Wright Park. His monies enabled the City to buy the Municipal Airport in the 1940's.
George M. Hoover was an Episcopalian but, in his will, he gave $1,000 each to the Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, Christian, Episcopal and Baptist churches.
Entrepreneurship and Expansion in the Old West: George M Hoover's Astonishing Journey from Bar Owner to Dodge City Mayor
As we delve into the rich history of the American Old West, one name stands out among the pioneers: George M Hoover. In our latest podcast episode, we invite you on a journey back in time to the lawless frontier days, to meet the man whose entrepreneurial spirit helped shape the future of the infamous Dodge City.
The story of George M Hoover is a fascinating tale of resilience, initiative, and sheer determination. Arriving in the frontier town of Ellsworth in 1871, Hoover soon set up a bar just outside the military boundary of Fort Dodge. This establishment would prove to be the catalyst for the birth and growth of what would later become Dodge City.
Hoover's bar wasn't just a place to get a drink. It served as a vital meeting point for US Army soldiers, traders along the Santa Fe Trail, and buffalo hunters. The establishment of this bar led to the emergence of a bustling community, sparking the development of additional businesses and ultimately leading to the christening of the fledgling town as Dodge City.
But Hoover's contribution to Dodge City didn't stop there. The bar owner turned city pioneer took his entrepreneurial spirit a step further. As the city grew, so did Hoover's business ventures. From a wholesale liquor outlet expanding into Texas and Indian territory to opening a private bank in 1892, Hoover was a driving force behind Dodge City's expansion.
Hoover's influence extended beyond the realm of business. In 1876, the citizens of Dodge City elected him as their first mayor. A role he would assume four separate times. He also served as a county commissioner and was twice elected to the state legislature, demonstrating his commitment to civic duty and the development of the city he helped birth.
George M Hoover's legacy extended beyond his lifetime, his significant contributions to Dodge City's development have been immortalized in the city's history. After his death in 1914, his estate bequeathed over $90,000 to the city for beautification projects and the establishment of the Hoover Pavilion in Wright Park. His philanthropic initiatives ensured that his impact on Dodge City would be felt for generations to come.
In essence, George M Hoover was more than just a businessman or a mayor. He was a visionary who saw the potential in a fledgling town and nurtured it into a thriving city. His entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with his civic-mindedness, laid the foundation for Dodge City's growth and prosperity.
Our exploration of George M Hoover's life and legacy offers an intriguing glimpse into the Old West's history. It's a tale of a man who defied the odds to leave an indelible mark on the canvas of American history. Through his story, we gain a deeper understanding of the spirit of entrepreneurship and expansion that shaped the Old West and continues to influence American culture to this day.
The story of George M Hoover is a fascinating tale of resilience, initiative, and sheer determination. Arriving in the frontier town of Ellsworth in 1871, Hoover soon set up a bar just outside the military boundary of Fort Dodge. This establishment would prove to be the catalyst for the birth and growth of what would later become Dodge City.
Hoover's bar wasn't just a place to get a drink. It served as a vital meeting point for US Army soldiers, traders along the Santa Fe Trail, and buffalo hunters. The establishment of this bar led to the emergence of a bustling community, sparking the development of additional businesses and ultimately leading to the christening of the fledgling town as Dodge City.
But Hoover's contribution to Dodge City didn't stop there. The bar owner turned city pioneer took his entrepreneurial spirit a step further. As the city grew, so did Hoover's business ventures. From a wholesale liquor outlet expanding into Texas and Indian territory to opening a private bank in 1892, Hoover was a driving force behind Dodge City's expansion.
Hoover's influence extended beyond the realm of business. In 1876, the citizens of Dodge City elected him as their first mayor. A role he would assume four separate times. He also served as a county commissioner and was twice elected to the state legislature, demonstrating his commitment to civic duty and the development of the city he helped birth.
George M Hoover's legacy extended beyond his lifetime, his significant contributions to Dodge City's development have been immortalized in the city's history. After his death in 1914, his estate bequeathed over $90,000 to the city for beautification projects and the establishment of the Hoover Pavilion in Wright Park. His philanthropic initiatives ensured that his impact on Dodge City would be felt for generations to come.
In essence, George M Hoover was more than just a businessman or a mayor. He was a visionary who saw the potential in a fledgling town and nurtured it into a thriving city. His entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with his civic-mindedness, laid the foundation for Dodge City's growth and prosperity.
Our exploration of George M Hoover's life and legacy offers an intriguing glimpse into the Old West's history. It's a tale of a man who defied the odds to leave an indelible mark on the canvas of American history. Through his story, we gain a deeper understanding of the spirit of entrepreneurship and expansion that shaped the Old West and continues to influence American culture to this day.