Fort Hays - Hays, KS
N 38° 51.725 W 099° 20.587
14S E 470231 N 4301527
Estalished in June of 1867, Fort Hays was initially intended to protect Union Pacific railway workers from the Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes.
Waymark Code: WMA4E6
Location: Kansas, United States
Date Posted: 11/15/2010
Views: 10
Fort Hays began as Fort Fletcher in 1865, with the purpose of protecting the stage and frieght wagons traveling to Denver. In 1866, the US Army became shorthanded and underfunded and the fort closed.
In June of 1867, however, the post was reoccupied and renamed Fort Hays. When the Union Pacific railroad reached Fort Hays in October of that same year, the fort became a supply depot to all forts south that did not have access to railroads. The railroad is located about three-quarters of a mile morth of the fort and is still currently in use.
Most military posts on the plains were laid out like small towns, and none of the forts in Kansas had walls around them. The Native tribes seldom attacked large scale military installations.
Fort Hays is located on a lsight rise for increased visibility and protection against suprise attacks. The installation was approximately 7640 acres, or 12 square miles, of which 65 acres were used for placement of 45 buildings.
From 1865 to 1869, there was an intense period of railroad construction, as well as hostile Native activity. It was during this time period that the population of Fort Hays reached ins height with 565 troops being garrisoned here in August of 1867. Some of the notable men associated with Fort Hays were General George Custer, General Nelson Miles, General Phil Sheridan, "Buffalo Bill" Cody, and "Wild Bill" Hickock. And some of the well-known units statiioned here were the 7th US Cavalry, 5th US Infantry, and the 10th US Cavalry (also known as the "Buffalo Soldiers").
In 1889, Fort Hays was officially closed and by 1900, most of the dilapidated buildings were dismantled. Until 1963, when the Kansas State Historical Society began administering the property as a state historic site, the property had been used by a branch of the state agriculture college. Once ownership was transferred to the Kansas State Historical Society, the restoration or replacement of buidlings began. Today, four of the original buildings remain: the 1867 stone blockhouse, 1872 stone guardhouse, and two of the frame officers' quarters, which have been outfitted with period furnishings.
The year the "Fort" was constructed or started.: 1867
Name of "Country" or "Nation" that constructed this "Fort": United States
Was this "Fort" involved in any armed conflicts?: No it wasn't
What was the primary purpose of this "Historic Fort"?: For protecting a travel or shipping route
Current condition: State Historical Site - reconstructed or renovated buildings
This site is administered by ----: Kansas State Historical Society
If admission is charged -: 3.00 (listed in local currency)
Open to the public?: Restricted hours -Admission charged
Official or advertised web-page: [Web Link]
Link to web-site that best describes this "Historic Fort": [Web Link]
Link if this "Fort" is registered on your Countries/ State "Registry of Historical Sites or Buildi: Not listed
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