George M. Hoover.
George M. Hoover was a well-known businessman in Dodge City, Kansas.
George Merritt Hoover was born in Canada on August 8, 1847. He came to western Kansas, arriving in Ellsworth in 1871. However, he soon made his way to Ford County and became Dodge City’s second settler in June 1872. With a business partner named John McDonald, he established the first saloon in Dodge City, initially in a sod building, but later constructed a wooden structure on Front Street.
He became the first elected mayor when Dodge City was founded and served four terms in office. He was also a County Commissioner several times and was elected twice to the state legislature from Ford County. He later founded and served as president of the State Bank of Dodge, a position he held until his death.
He married Margaret Carnahan in 1875 and raised a foster son, George Curry, who later served as one of the Rough Riders under Theodore Roosevelt and became the first territorial governor of New Mexico. By the time he died in July 1914, he had amassed an estate of at least $500,000, leaving $100,000 of it to Dodge City, in addition to thousands of dollars more for churches and $10,000 to build Hoover Pavilion in Wright Park, Dodge City.
Hoover Saloon, Dodge City, Kansas.
©Kathy Alexander/Legends of Kansas, updated September 2025.
Also See:
Dodge City, Kansas – A Wicked Little Town
See Sources.