Hays history

The history of modern Hays began in 1867. The emergence of the city was inextricably linked to the construction of the Eastern Division of the Union Pacific Railroad, which was paving a way westward through the state of Kansas. Initially, the settlement arose as a civilian satellite to the eponymous Fort Hays, established to ensure security in the region and protect the workers laying the rails.

Several key circumstances contributed to the rapid transformation of the military outpost and tent camp into a fully-fledged city. The arrival of trains made Hays an important transport hub connecting the frontier with the eastern states, while its location in the heart of the Great Plains turned the city into an ideal supply base for settlers and trade caravans.

In the early years of its existence, Hays acquired the reputation of a colourful "Wild West" city. The economy of that time relied on trade, servicing railway workers, cattle breeding, and bison hunting. The city is known for the fact that during this period, legendary historical figures such as Wild Bill Hickok, who served as sheriff for a time, and Buffalo Bill Cody lived and worked here.

• 1867 — Foundation of the Hays City settlement coinciding with the arrival of the Union Pacific Railroad.
• 1869 — Legendary "Wild Bill" Hickok took office as sheriff, attempting to bring order to the city streets.
• 1876 — The beginning of the mass arrival of immigrants—Volga Germans, whose traditions defined the cultural appearance of the region.
• 1885 — Hays was officially incorporated and received city status in accordance with state law.
• 1889 — Military Fort Hays was officially closed, and its territory was later repurposed for civilian needs.
• 1902 — An educational institution opened its doors, which later became the modern Fort Hays State University (FHSU).
• 1929 — The discovery of oil reserves in Ellis County gave a powerful impetus to the development of local industry.
• 1966 — Completion of the section of Interstate I-70, cementing the city's status as an important transport hub.
• 1999 — The opening of the new, modern building of the Sternberg Museum of Natural History took place, becoming a major tourist attraction.
• 2017 — The city celebrated its 150th anniversary on a grand scale, holding a series of historical festivals and commemorative events.

Key Stages of the City's Development

The evolution of Hays from a frontier outpost to a modern regional centre relied on several fundamental transformations. Each of them contributed to the city's economic stability and cultural diversity.

• The Railway Catalyst. The arrival of the Union Pacific Railroad did not just put the city on the map, but turned it into a major transit point for transporting livestock and goods. This laid the foundation for the development of trade infrastructure, warehouses, and the hospitality business serving travellers and merchants.
• Agrarian Revolution and the "Wheat Belt". The arrival of immigrants from among the Volga Germans radically changed the region's agriculture. They brought with them seeds of winter-hardy red wheat, which was ideally suited to the Kansas climate. This turned Hays and the surrounding area into a thriving agricultural centre specialising in grain cultivation.
• Formation of an Educational Hub. The opening in the early 20th century of the educational institution that became Fort Hays State University (FHSU) changed the demographic and social face of the city. The emergence of a student community and an academic base promoted cultural growth and an influx of young specialists, which favourably distinguishes Hays from many other small towns in the region.
• Oil Boom. The discovery of oil fields in Ellis County in the late 1920s diversified the economy. Income from the extraction of "black gold" and related industries helped the city maintain financial stability for decades and attracted investment to the industrial sector.
• Construction of Interstate I-70. The laying of one of the main US transport arteries through Hays in the mid-20th century secured the city's status as a logistics hub. This event stimulated the development of roadside services, motels, and restaurants, and also significantly facilitated tourist access to local attractions.
• Development of Regional Medicine. The formation of a powerful medical cluster based at Hays Medical Center (HaysMed) made the city a key healthcare point for all of northwest Kansas. This ensured the creation of thousands of highly qualified jobs and a constant influx of people from neighbouring counties, strengthening the service sector economy.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architectural development of Hays is a visual chronicle of the transformation from a temporary camp in the Wild West into a solid university and trade centre. A unique feature of local architecture was the massive use of a local natural resource—limestone, which gave the city's historic quarters a recognisable character typical of the Great Plains region.

The Frontier Era and "Stone Architecture" (1860s – 1890s)

Given the shortage of timber on the prairies, early settlers quickly moved from temporary tents and dugouts to building with local limestone. This period laid the foundation for the city's "stone" style.

• Style: Vernacular (folk) architecture, utilitarian style.
• Characteristic features: Walls of roughly hewn blocks of yellowish or cream limestone, simple rectangular forms, minimal decoration. Stone was quarried directly in the vicinity of the city.
• Iconic objects: The surviving structures of historic Fort Hays (blockhouse, barracks), which demonstrate the severe functionality of 19th-century military architecture.

Victorian Commercial Style (Late 19th – Early 20th Century)

With the arrival of the railway and the growth of prosperity, the city centre began to be built up with substantial brick and stone buildings. The Chestnut Street District became the heart of business life.

• Style: Victorian commercial eclecticism, elements of the Italianate style.
• Characteristic features: Decorative cornices made of metal or brick, arched windows, shopfronts on the ground floors with cast-iron columns. Buildings often combined red brick with local limestone trim.
• Iconic objects: The historic city centre along Chestnut Street, where a dense development of two- and three-story buildings of that era has been preserved, now listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Sacred Architecture and Immigrant Heritage (1900s – 1940s)

The arrival of Volga Germans, who were deeply religious, led to the construction of majestic temples that dominate the low-rise buildings of the plains.

• Style: Romanesque Revival and elements of Neo-Gothic.
• Characteristic features: Massive towers, use of hewn limestone, stained glass rose windows, tall spires. These buildings were built "to last" and symbolised the faith and perseverance of the community.
• Iconic objects: St. Joseph's Church — a vivid example of limestone architecture with Romanesque arches, serving as one of the city's landmarks.

Institutional Classicism and Academic Style (Early 20th Century)

The development of the teachers' college (the future FHSU university) introduced monumental public architecture to the city.

• Style: Neoclassicism, Collegiate Revival style.
• Characteristic features: Symmetry, colonnades, use of light stone, strict proportions.
• Iconic objects: Picken Hall on the university campus — a majestic building with columns that has become a symbol of education in the region.

Modernism and Modernity (Second Half of the 20th Century – Present)

The post-war period and the construction of the I-70 highway brought new materials and forms. The city expanded to the north, where modern shopping and residential areas appeared.

• Style: International style, functionalism, postmodernism.
• Characteristic features: Use of concrete, glass, and steel, rejection of decoration in favour of functionality, large open spaces.
• Iconic objects: The modern building of the Sternberg Museum of Natural History with its recognisable dome, which is an example of modern museum architecture focused on interactivity and visual effect.

Famous Residents and Historical Figures

The history of Hays is rich in colourful characters—from legendary Wild West gunmen to outstanding scientists and politicians. Many of them played a key role not only in the development of the city but also in the history of the USA.

• James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok (1837–1876)
  Role: Sheriff, scout, Wild West legend
  In 1869, Hickok was elected sheriff of Hays City, which was then considered one of the most dangerous and turbulent towns on the frontier. During his service, he became famous for his tough methods of maintaining order and his participation in several shootouts that became part of local folklore.
• William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody (1846–1917)
  Role: Bison hunter, army scout, showman
  Cody lived in Hays in the late 1860s. It was here, working as a meat supplier for the builders of the Kansas Pacific Railway, that he received his famous nickname. He was also one of the founders of the neighbouring settlement of Rome, but after its decline, he moved his activities to Hays.
• George Armstrong Custer (1839–1876)
  Role: Lieutenant Colonel of the US Army
  The famous military commander was based at Fort Hays with his 7th Cavalry Regiment during the Indian Wars (1867–1870). His stay in the city is associated with many historical anecdotes and military campaigns preceding his death at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
• George Fryer Sternberg (1883–1969)
  Role: Paleontologist, museum curator
  A representative of a famous dynasty of "fossil hunters". Sternberg lived in Hays and dedicated his life to studying the Cretaceous period of Kansas. His most famous find is the unique "fish within a fish" fossil (Xiphactinus audax), which is the jewel of the collection of the city museum bearing his name.
• Kathryn O'Loughlin McCarthy (1894–1952)
  Role: Lawyer, politician
  The first woman elected to the US Congress from the state of Kansas (1932). She was educated in Hays, conducted a successful law practice here, and owned extensive landholdings in Ellis County, breaking stereotypes about the role of women in politics and business of that time.
• Walter P. Chrysler (1875–1940)
  Role: Industrialist, founder of the Chrysler Corporation
  Although Chrysler was not born in Hays itself, his youth was spent in the neighbouring town of Ellis (part of the same metropolitan area), and his early career was closely linked to the railway in this region. Local residents consider him their countryman, whose engineering talent was formed in the workshops of the Kansas prairies.
• Jerry Moran (born 1954)
  Role: US Senator
  A prominent modern politician representing Kansas in the US Senate. Moran has lived in Hays for a long time and began his political career defending the interests of western Kansas, which highlights the city's continuing political influence in the region.