, KS
Fortsmore
Historic Fort Hays
Fort Hays was an important US Army post which was active from 1865 until 1889. Troops from Fort Hays protected the stage and freight wagons using the Smoky Hill Trail to Denver, and construction workers who were building the Union Pacific Railroad. The original blockhouse, guardhouse, and officers q... continue
Museumsmore
Ellis Co. Historical Museum
The Ellis County Historical Society Museum preserves and illustrates local history by housing exhibits of artifacts, collections of documents, photographs, manuscripts and other archival materials that reflect this region's past. The museum displays over 25,000 artifacts which reflect the diversity ... continue
Museumsmore
Sternberg Museum of Natural History
Within the four story domed museum, you will find a recreated day 88 million years ago when the mighty Tyrannosaurus haunted the land and Kansas was covered by an inland sea.
Visitors will be able to walk among several animated life-sized dinosaurs in a fully restored environment and ... continue
Toursmore
Downtown Historical Walking Tour
The famous and infamous walked the streets of Old Hays City during the 1860's to 1880's including Wild Bill Hickok, Buffalo Bill Cody and General George Armstrong Custer. Twenty five bronze plaques mark the route and explain the historical significance of each site. Begin the tour near 13th and Fort... continue
Cemeteriesmore
Boot Hill Cemetery
The original Boot Hill was located in Hays not Dodge City, as many people believe. In fact, when Dodge City was founded in 1872, the Hays City Boot Hill was well populated. Mrs. Elizabeth Custer spent the summers of 1869 and 1870 near Hays with her husband, Lt. Col. George Custer. In her book, Follo... continue
Museumsmore
Volga-German House
Located on the grounds of the Ellis County Historical Museum is a replica of a Volga German house furnished with authentic household items used by the Volga German settlers.
The first homes built by our early settlers were constructed of sod. Typically the homes were 28 feet long and 16 feet... continue
Historic Schoolhousesmore
Plymouth Stone Schoolhouse
When the Germans settled on the Kansas high plains over a century ago, after homesteading their farm and establishing a church, the next priority was to build a schoolhouse. This schoolhouse was originally built in Russell County in the 1870's and was moved to the campus of Fort Hays State Universi... continue
Education Centersmore
Blue Sky Minature Horse Farm
Donna and Marion Schmidt have operated their working horse farm for over 10 years and enjoy visiting with groups about this special breed of horses.
Not to be confused with Shetland ponies, miniature horses are much like regular horses, except they are only 26-33" tall. This Arabian t... continue
Pioneer Lifemore
Buffalo Herd
Located on US-183 Alternate, four miles south of I-70 and directly across from Historic Fort Hays is a small herd of buffalo. Free admission and visitors are welcome to view the herd from either the road that goes through Frontier Park or the access road south of the buffalo herd pasture.
Education Centersmore
K.S.U. Ag Research Center
The 1895 Kansas legislature declared, "The experience of the settlers of the settlers upon the plains of western Kansas has demonstrated conclusively that agriculture cannot be pursued with profit under existing natural conditions."
The legislators saw the need for conducting researc... continue
Artsmore
Hays Arts Center Gallery
The Center is the home of the Hays Arts Council, Kansas' first such organization. The gallery features many new exhibits throughout the year, including the Five State Photography Exhibition which is held during December in conjunction with the Winter Gallery Walk. The last Friday of April marks th... continue
Artsmore
Stone Gallery
Pete "Fritz" Felten, Jr. was born and raised in Hays. Pete was a track star and expert swimmer in high school and spent one year at Fort Hays State College. His interest in art and sculpting began during his time of service in the U.S. Navy between 1952 and 1956 when he was able to visit art museums... continue
Education Centersmore
Fort Hays State University
Fort Hays State University opened in 1902 as the Western Branch of the Kansas Normal School. For the first two years classes were held at the Fort site. In 1904 the first stone building, Picken Hall, was completed on the "flats" adjacent to Hays, and the young institution was moved to its present lo... continue
Museumsmore
KS Merci Boxcar Museum & Veterans Memorial Park
Kansas Merci Boxcar Museum & Veterans Memorial Park
At the close of World War II the French nation was devastated. Reconstruction was a slow process. Farmlands had been ravished. War-damaged factories had to be rebuilt and retooled before industry could begin the production of civilian goods.... continue
Battlesitesmore
The Battle of the Saline River
The survey party was unprepared for the attack and the men were mowed down like grass before a scythe. P.S. Ashley and his crew of six men were careless that day, August , 1867, leaving their rifles in camp before setting to work surveying the route of the Union Pacific Railway, Eastern Division. Al... continue
Ethnic Heritagemore
Volga-German Heritage
Volga German settlers began arriving in Ellis County in the mid-1870's. These frontier settlers were so named because prior to coming to the United States they had settled along the Volga River in Russia. Coming from a harsh climate, the Volga Germans were able to adapt and thrive in their new home.... continue
Golf Coursesmore
Fort Hays Municipal Golf Course
(public)
This well-maintained course built in 1920, and designed by Dewey Longworth, has excellent bent grass greens. A few trees can alter your shots. Even though there are few sand bunkers, there are water hazards coming into play on a couple of holes. Hole #18, a 155-yard, par 3, r... continue
Fun Centersmore
Precision Valley Golf Center
"Precision Valley Golf Center where the golf season never ends."
The facility offers golfers a much needed place to practice and work on their game. It is currently the most technologically advanced golf club fitting center between Kansas City and Denver.
The 6000 sq. ft build... continue
Golf Coursesmore
Smoky Hill Country Club
Course Access: Private
Holes: 18
Reserve Advance Tee Times: 7 days... continue
Course Access: Private
Holes: 18
Reserve Advance Tee Times: 7 days... continue
Historic Markersmore
Historic Hays Driving Tour
A self-guided driving tour to over 30 locations throughout the community provides the opportunity to see some of the most important landmarks, historic sites and points of interest in Hays.
The tour begins at 27th & Vine, across from the Hays Welcome Center. Drive past Mount Allen Ce... continue
Historic Churchesmore
Historic Church Tours
There are more historic German Catholic churches in Ellis County then any other county in Kansas. They were built of native limestone over 100 years ago and you are welcome to visit these impressive churches and enjoy the beautiful stained glass windows, craftsmanship, statues and majestic altars. ... continue
Historic Airfieldsmore
Walker Air Base Display
The model of the Walker Army Airfield that is on display at Forsyth Library on the campus of Fort Hays State University was completed in October 2000 by Fort Hays State University student Steve Arthur. The Walker Army Airfield was located in Ellis County, about 2 and 1/2 miles northwest of Walker. A... continue
Ghost Townsmore
Ghost Town of Rome -Townsite Marker
The short lived town of Rome was established in May of 1867, which was approximately 3-4 months prior to founding of Hays City. The details surrounding the rise and fall of this small town are not clear. The first inhabitants of Rome appear to have been the Lull brothers from Salina, Kansas. Whethe... continue
Education Centersmore
Thomas More Prep-Marian
"Give us four years and we'll give you a lifetime!"
Fully accredited Catholic High School that offers both a boarder and day program.
Small student-teacher ratio and family atmosphere.
Excellent educational and extra-curricular opportunities.
86% of our graduates receive ... continue
Artsmore
Walking Tour of Art Displays
Nearly a dozen art sculptures are located on the beautiful campus of Fort Hays State University.
This self guided walking tour is a great way to enjoy the beautiful artwork on the FHSU campus. The interactive map link shows the location of the various pieces of artwork including the u... continue
Outdoor Recreationmore
Frontier Park
The area that surrounds Big Creek on the southwest edge of Hays at one time was part of the original Fort Hays U.S. Military Post. After the Fort was closed on November 8, 1889, this land became available and on March 28, 1900, the United States Congress granted the State of Kansas the right to disp... continue
Water Parksmore
Hays Aquatic Park
The Hays Aquatic Park is the ideal place to cool off and enjoy some summer fun. The H.A.P. is located on approximately 3.5 acres of land and is located at 4th & Main. There are three bodies of water (lazy river, leisure pool, multi-purpose pool) and two water slides. You can enjoy a leisurely float ... continue
Nature Trailsmore
Hays F.E.E.T Trail - Walking/Hiking/Biking Trails
There are four locations in Hays to take advantage of walking trails, trek out on a biking path, hike along the creek or enjoy a leisurely walk. The Hays Medical Center Fitness Trail is located behind the Hays Medical Center (2220 Canterbury Drive) and just east of the employee/staff parking lot. T... continue
Racingmore
Rolling Plains Motor Speedway - RPM'S
Rolling Plains Motor Speedway - RPM'S
Ellis County Fairgrounds
1344 Fairground Road
Hays, KS 67601
785-639-RACE (7223)
Promoter, Rod Bencken,
785-672-0123
Track email info@rpmspeedway.net
Hours: Varies - Races generally start at 7:3... continue
Sports Complexesmore
Bickle/Schmidt Sports Complex
Bickle/Schmidt Sports Complex
1376 Hwy 40
Hays, KS 67601
785-623-2650
Fax: 785-623-2650
Construction of the Bickle/Schmidt Sports Complex began in 2010 and completed in the fall of 2011. This brand new facility sits on 120 acres of ground and is located just nort... continue
Librariesmore
Forsyth Library & Special Collections Display
The library on the campus of Fort Hays State University features three floors of books, magazines, periodicals, research materials, audio books, government forms, newspapers, microforms, newspapers, historical documents and reference materials. The Library also has several unique displays that visit... continue
Farmers Marketsmore
Farmers Market and Fresh Produce Market
Hays Farmers Market
Parking Lot - 27th & Vine
Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings
June through October
Hours: Sat 8-noon, Wed 5-8 pm
Admission: Free
Local farmers and gardeners sell a variety of fresh vegetables, fruit, farm products and baked goods
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Cemeteriesmore
Mt. Allen Cemetery Tree Swings
As with many of the cemetery stories and records that date back to 100 years ago or more, the details behind the tree swings at Mount Allen Cemetery are not fully known. The information below provides the approximate location of the two tree swings as well as the grave markers for twelve individuals... continue
Librariesmore
Hays Public Library
A nationally-recognized leader for outstanding per capita usage, renovated and expanded in 2003 to match the original 1911 Carnegie library. The 39,000 square foot facility has an extensive book collection. It is also home to a dynamic young adult section, a beautiful gallery, a bookstore and an ex... continue