Big Time Fun Welcome to Hays
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HAYS KANSAS small town charm big time fun Welcome to Hays e invite you to experience the many W opportunities that our charming community has to offer. You’ll enjoy our small town friendliness whether you come to Hays for a family vacation, business trip, sporting event, shopping or just passing through. We are proud of our colorful history as a wild frontier town and we encourage you to explore our city so you can find out for yourself “Where history walked the streets”. Many of the interesting and historic places to visit are free or charge only a small admission fee. Be sure to visit our unique museums and tourist attractions to learn about our military past and Volga German heritage. Discover the scenic beauty and natural history of western Kansas with an outing to Frontier Park, the Hays F.E.E.T trails and the Sternberg Museum of Natural History. The past comes alive everyday in Hays! call for information 1-800-569-4505 or visit www.haysusa.net Table of Contents Agricultural Attractions ..........................4 Military History ....................................21 Art Galleries ....................................... 6-7 Natural History .....................................22 Churches ..............................................12 Parks ....................................................22 Community Profile ...............................32 Fitness/Walking/Jogging/Bike/Trails ......23 Community Services .............................12 Racing ..................................................24 Downtown Hays ............................... 8-11 Recreation ............................................24 Events and Festivals .............................32 Restaurants ..........................................25 Fishing .................................................13 Rodeo...................................................26 Frontier History .............................. 14-15 Schools - Education ..............................26 German Heritage ............................ 18-19 Shopping ..............................................27 Hunting ................................................13 Sports ............................................ 28-30 Lodging ................................................20 Transportation ......................................31 Map ............................................... 16-17 Photo credits: Thomas Zimmerman, Blue Sky Miniature Horse Farm, C.S. Post & Co., Dickinson Ranch, Ellis County Historical Society Museum, Ellis County Fair Association, FHSU CTELT, Gary Hobelmann, Hays Recreation Center, Steve Hausler, Kansas Wildlife and Parks, KSU Ag Research Center, Liberty Group, Mid America Rodeo Company, Ricky Miller, North Central Kansas Technical College, Charlie Riedel, Dave Wasinger, Mitch Weber, Bob Wilhelm, USD 489 Disclaimer: The information contained in this brochure was prepared as accurately as possible at the time of printing. The Hays CVB is not responsible for information that is incorrectly supplied to our office, omissions or changes made after the printing of the brochure. This publication does not constitute a contract with the Hays CVB and any person. Business listings or contact information contained in this brochure does not imply a referral or recommendation by the Hays CVB. We suggest calling in advance or visiting our website to verify current information. 1-800-569-4505 • www.haysusa.net 2 www.haysusa.net • 800.569.4505 Wild Frontier Town ays City was founded in August of 1867 as the Union Pacific Railway Eastern Division Hworked its way west. The town was named after Fort Hays, the army’s military post, which was located south of Big Creek. The United States Army established Fort Hays (founded in 1865 as Fort Fletcher, renamed Fort Hays in 1866) to provide protection for settlers and railroad workers from Indian resistance. Fort Hays was named in honor of General Alexander Hays, who was a Union general, and had been killed during the Civil War in1864 at the Battle of the Wilderness. Because many of the first citizens of the rapidly growing town were railroad workers, desperados and other notorious characters, the early days of Hays City were wild and dangerous. The soldiers from nearby Fort Hays also created a rowdy atmosphere when they came to town because many of the first businesses in Hays City were saloons, brothels, gambling houses, dance halls or other liquor establishments. Skirmishes with some of the local “rough” citizens and the soldiers only added to the reputation as a lawless and tough “end of the tracks” town. During several months of 1869, James Butler Hickok served as the acting sheriff after several incidents prompted the citizens to form a vigilante committee. “Wild Bill” Hickok, as he became known, apparently was not elected, but served at the will of the vigilante committee. The vigilante period from July of 1868 to December of 1869 was marked by 15 homicides. The lawlessness, bloodshed and feuds that occurred during the time when General George A. Custer and his wife were encamped near Fort Hays prompted Elizabeth Custer to comment, “There was enough desperate history in that little town in one summer to make a whole library of dime novels.” Between August of 1867 and 1873, there were over 30 murders in and around Hays City. The reputation as one of the most violent towns on the Kansas frontier quickly spread. Many of the buildings from Hays City’s wild past are gone, but today visitors can step back in time and relive the history of Downtown Hays through a self guided walking tour. Twenty-five bronze plaques mark the route of where the famous and other notorious characters lived and walked the streets of old Hays City. Community Profile Founded in 1867 Annual average high temperature: Hays population – 20,993 79.1 (July) Ellis County population – 29,053 Average annual precipitation: 22.76” Climate – Four distinct seasons with mild Average annual snowfall: 19.64” and sunny days spring through fall. Altitude - 2004.6 feet above sea level Annual average temperature: 53.9 GPS Coordinates Annual average low temperature: Latitude 38’- 52 minutes 34 seconds 28.6 (January) Longitude 99’ - 19 minutes 41 seconds www.haysusa.net • 800.569.4505 3 Agricultural Attractions Blue Sky Miniature Horse Farm Located North of Hays 1710 Canterbury Dr. • Hays, KS 67601 785.625.6725 Hours: Tours by appointment only Admission: Call for fee information. www.blueskyhorses.com Learn about this Arabian type horse that is only 26-34" tall. Owners Donna and Marion Schmidt provide tours about the history, grooming, training, and show- ing of these award winning miniature horses. Fort Hays State University Farm West Hwy. 183 Alt. • Hays, KS 67601 785.628.4196 • fax: 785.628.4183 Hours: M-F 8 am – 4 pm Guided tours available by appointment Admission: Free KSU Agricultural Research Center 1232 240th Ave • Hays, KS 67601 785.625.3425 • fax: 785.623.4369 Hours: M-F 8 am – 5 pm www.wkarc.org Admission: Free – Group tours available by appointment. This agricultural research center comprises several thousand acres of crop and rangeland, a greenhouse, modern feed mill, headquarters buildings, and a cattle feedlot with 900-head capacity. 4 www.haysusa.net • 800.569.4505 Markets – Open June to October Downtown Hays Market 107 W. 10th Street • Hays, KS 67601 785.621.4171 This market offers fresh goodness, hand-crafted products and local eateries, art and entertainment all in Downtown Hays! Wednesdays 5 :45 pm – 7:45 pm and Saturdays 7:30 am – 11 am Fresh Produce Market 2900 Broadway • Hays, KS 67601 785.625.7316 Wednesday evening and Saturday morning www.haysusa.net • 800.569.4505 5 Art–Galleries711 Studio 711 Main St. • Hays, KS 67601 • 785.625.4895 • www.strecker-nelsongallery.com On display are paintings, drawings, lithographs and etchings of nationally known local artist, Michal Jilg. Michael has honored his profession with 200 exhibitions and representations in museum collections in the U.S., England and Asia Artist’s at Work Studio 717 Main St. • Hays, KS 67601 • 785.650.3998 • [email protected] Bruce Burkholder Studio And Gallery 116 E. 11th • Hays, KS 67601 • 785.650.3673 • www.bruceburkholder.com Bruce Burkholder is known as a photo realism painter and has received numerous awards and honors including an article featured in Kansas Magazine. Dennis Schiel Studio and Gallery 2914 Indian Trail • Hays, KS 67601 • 785.639.1220 Hours: By appointment only Dennis sells his original fine art as well as commissions. He provides framing services, sells art supplies and teaches a variety of art classes Fort Hays State University Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center 600 Park St. •Hays, KS 67601 • 785.628.4000 Hours: M-F 8 am – 4:30 pm Fort Hays State University Memorial Union Art (Second floor hallway) 700 College Dr. • Hays, KS 67601 • 785.628.5305 Hours: M-F 8 am – 5 pm Hadley Art Collection - Hays Medical Center 2220 Canterbury Dr. • Hays, KS 67601 • 785.623.5000 Hours: Daily 8 am – 6 pm 6 www.haysusa.net • 800.569.4505 Hays Arts Center Gallery 112 E. 11th • Hays, KS 67601 • 785.625.7522 • www.haysarts.org Hours: M-F 10 am – 4 pm, Sat. 10 am – 1 pm Admission: Free The gallery sponsors the Five State Photography Exhibition each year in December – January. Hays Arts Council presents 4 Seasonal Art Gallery Walks throughout the year. Hays Public Library Gallery 1205 Main St. • Hays, KS 67601 • 785.625.9014 • www.hayspublib.org Hours: M-Th 9 am – 8 pm; Fri. 9 am – 6 pm; Sat. 9 am – 5 pm; Sun. 1 pm – 5pm Kansas Post Card Collection Fort Hays State University, Robbins Center