Hays, Kansas

Hays is a city in Kansas and located in the northwestern part of the State. It is a college town with a population of some 21,000 people.  We stayed here for a couple of days and took the oportunity to enjoy the sights.  We started off with lunch which was our first ever Chicago pizza which is an upside down pizza for ease of explanation.  Hence the tomato is place on top.  It was delicious and feed us for 3 days.

Our first stop was to Boot Hill.  This was the original Boot Hill where between 1867 and 1874 more than 80 persons were buried here.  Many died with their boots on as victims of knife, gun or rope.  Many well known persons lived and died in Hays including Wild Bill Hickock, Buffalo Bill and Clamity Jane and many others.  Many bodies have been relocated however about half of the bodies still remain in this grave yard.  It is located on a hill.

Then off to visit Fort Hayes which was established in 1867 and became the supply depot for all Forts of Western Kansas.   

The Fort was located on a sight rise for increased visibility and protection against suprise attacks.  It covered some 7640 acres of which 65 acres was used for placement of 45 buidings.

This is the blockhouse which is a hexagonal building made of native limestone quarried 3 miles west of Hays and was the first building constructed at Fort Hays.  

This was the Guard House  It included a room for non-commissioned officer of the guard, the guardroom, and military prison, which included 3 solitary cells.

Here are some of the original soldiers' carvings in the limestone blocks of the guardhouse which are still visible. 

This is an Officer's house on Officers' Row.  A series of 10 houses on the south side of the parade ground was built between 1867 and 1870.  The partial duplexes still stands today housed 2 officers and their families.  Each family had their own parlor and one bedroom.  They shared the dining room and kitchen.  Families supplied their own furnishings and could hire servants to assist with cooking, care of the children and cleaning.

Views from the inside of the the Offercer's home.

From 1865 to 1869 was a period of intense railroad construction and hostile indian activity.  It was during this period the fort reached its height with 565 troops being stationed here in August 1867.  Normally the garrison consisted of about 3 companies averaging  55 men per company.    Some of the more notable men accociated with Fort Hays included LTCOL George Custer, Gen Nelson Miles,Gen Phil Sherdan ,"Buffal Bill: Cody and "Wild Bill" Hickock.
By 1889, Fort Hays was offically closed and by 1900 most of the dilapitated buildings were dismantled. Some buildings were moved off the property intact.  In 1963 the Kanas State historical Society began administering the property as a state historic site.

Cheers,
Ross and Beverley