2017-09-15

Author: Mary Knapp

Weather observations have been recorded in Kansas for a very long time. Among the earliest organized observations were those taken by the Army Signal Corps. In 1875 the U.S. Army Signal Corps decided to establish a permanent weather station at Dodge to take over for the few sporadic observations that had been taken by the post surgeon at nearby Fort Dodge.

The first observer was a Sgt. M.L. Landers who, after some searching, managed to secure rental of an upstairs room on the north end of the Dodge House Saloon. The instruments were mounted on the roof. The first observation was taken on September 15, 1875 and marks the beginning of the observations in Dodge City, KS.

Dodge House Circa 1875 (public domain)

Mary Knapp, Weather Data Library
mknapp@ksu.edu