LASR.net Homepage




Menu

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, Following the Guidon, she states that there were already 36 graves in the cemetery before she left.

Estimates of the number of people buried there vary from 37 to 100, but the most reliable evidence shows there were approximately 79 graves. When homes were built at the site, many bodies were moved from Boot Hill to the Mount Allen Cemetery. Records, however, were incomplete and therefore the whereabouts of these are lost in history. Not all of those murdered in Hays City the first six years were buried here. Several were soldiers, probably buried at the Fort cemetery.

Hays is famous for being a frontier city and its colorful history features the legendary "Wild Bill" Hickok, "Buffalo Bill" Cody and General George Custer. Hays City was founded in the fall of 1867 when the Union Pacific Railroad reached the military post of Fort Hays along the banks of Big Creek. Because many of the first citizens were railroad workers, saloon owners, soldiers and even desperados, the early days of Hays City were wild and dangerous. During several months in 1869, "Wild Bill" Hickok served as the acting sheriff after several incidents prompted the citizens to form a vigilante committee. Many of the outlaws were buried at the original boot hill cemetery, which was located on a hill just north of Hays City.

Attractions and Upcoming Events

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

Hays, KS Arts

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

Hays, KS Museums

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"

Hays, KS Education Centers

Kansas Postcard Collection

The Kansas Postcard Collection was donated to Fort Hays State University and the community of Hays by the Association of Community Arts Agencies in 2006. The display is located in the FHSU Robbins Center and is one of the largest collections of original Kansas Art in the world. There are 635

Hays, KS Arts

Mt. Allen Cemetery Tree Swings

As with many of the cemetery stories and records that date back to 100

Hays, KS Cemeteries

Things to do near Hays, KS

Bell-Bogardus Indian Massacre and Cemetery

August 12, 1868 - At the homestead site of David A. Bogardus, 40 rods north of the Solomon River and 3 miles southeast of Wil...

Webster Boating

Four boat ramps provide access for area users-three in the state park and one in the Wildlife Area. ...