Fort Hays - Fort Hays, Kansas

Fort Hays - Fort Hays, Kansas

The history of Fort Hays began with it being built in 1865 to protect the stage and freight wagons of the Butterfield Overland Dispatch (BOD) traveling along the Smoky Hill Trail to Denver. Despite the presence of the soldiers, Southern Cheyenne and Southern Arapaho Indians continued to confront traffic along the trail. Since the BOD went bankrupt and the line was closed there was no longer any need for the fort in May of 1866.  At this time the fort was known as Ft. Fletcher after the governor of Missouri.

In October of 1866 was reopened about a fourth of a mile down the road.  The Union Pacific was being built and needed the protection of the Army.  The fort was then renamed Fort Hays after a general that had died in the Civil War.

Some of the famous figures associated with the fort included Wild Bill Hickok, Buffalo Bill Cody, General Nelson Miles, General Philip Sheridan, and Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer. It was also the home of several well-known Indian wars regiments such as the Seventh U.S. Cavalry, the Fifth U.S. Infantry, and the Tenth U.S. Cavalry, whose black troopers were better known as buffalo soldiers. After twenty-five years of service, Fort Hays was abandoned on November 8, 1889.

Location:

1472 Highway 183 Alternate
Hays, KS 67601
 
Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday 9 AM - 5 PM
Sunday 1 - 5 PM

Admission:
Adults: $3 Seniors & Students: $2

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