Boot Hill Cemetery, in which its museum rests, started in 1872 as an unofficial burial ground for various drifters who died in Dodge City. Most of these people died suddenly, with "their boots on" giving the name "Boot Hill" to the cemetery. None of these people had the money required for a proper burial; many were know only by their given name and no official records were kept of the burials.
(Read more: News – The Garden City Telegram)