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Hays, KS

Frequently asked questions

Hays, KS

Hays is a city in and the county seat of Ellis County, Kansas, United States. The largest city in northwestern Kansas, it is the economic and cultural center of the region. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 21,116. It is also a college town, home to Fort Hays State University.

Hays is located in northwestern Kansas at the intersection of Interstate 70 and U.S. Route 183, Hays is 134 miles (216 km) northwest of Wichita, 256 miles (412 km) west of Kansas City, and 311 miles (501 km) east-southeast of Denver.

The city lies in the Smoky Hills region of the Great Plains approximately 11 miles (18 km) north of the Smoky Hill River and 15 miles (24 km) south of the Saline River. Big Creek, a tributary of the Smoky Hill River, runs through the southwestern part of the city. Chetolah Creek, a tributary of Big Creek, flows south through the eastern part of the city. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.95 square miles (20.59 km²), all land.

Before American settlement of the area, the site of Hays was located near where the territories of the Arapaho, Kiowa, and Pawnee met. Claimed first by France as part of Louisiana and later acquired by the United States with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, it lay within the area organized by the U.S. as Kansas Territory in 1854. Kansas became a state in 1861, and the state government delineated the surrounding area as Ellis County in 1867.

In 1865, the U.S. Army established Fort Fletcher southeast of present-day Hays to protect stagecoaches traveling the Smoky Hill Trail. A year later, the Army renamed the post-Fort Hays in honor of the late Brig. Gen. Alexander Hays was killed in The Battle of The Wilderness. In late 1866, anticipating the construction of the Kansas Pacific Railway as far west as Fort Hays, a party from St. Louis, Missouri led by William Webb selected three sections of land for colonization near the fort. In June 1867, to better serve the railroad, the Army relocated Fort Hays 15 miles northwest to a site near where the railroad was to cross Big Creek, a tributary of the Smoky Hill River. Seeing a business opportunity, Buffalo Bill Cody and railroad contractor William Rose founded the settlement of Rome near the fort's new location. Within a month, the population of Rome grew to over 2,000. Webb, meanwhile, established the Big Creek Land Company and then surveyed and platted a town site, which he named Hays City after the fort, roughly one mile east of Rome. The railroad reached Hays City soon thereafter and constructed a depot there. The railroad's arrival, combined with a cholera epidemic that hit Rome in the late summer of 1867, drove Rome businesses and residents to relocate to Hays City. Within a year, Rome was completely abandoned. As the western terminus of the railway, Hays City grew rapidly, serving as the supply point for territories to the west and southwest.

In terms of health and wellness, Hays is committed to providing comprehensive healthcare services to its residents. Hays Medical Center, a leading healthcare institution, offers a wide range of medical services, ensuring the well-being of the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Hays Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include HotWorx, Main Street Gym and Fitness, and INSPIRE Body Mind Spirit. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Hays, such as the Hays Big Creek Trail and Vineyard Park. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature. 

Top sites in Hays, KS are Downtown Hays, Fort Hays State Historic Site, and Sternberg Museum of Natural History.

Population: 21,040 (2023). ZIP codes: 67601, 67667. Area code: 785. Elevation: 2,018 ft (615 m). Area: 8.48 sq mi (21.96 km²).

FAQs

What is Hays, KS famous for?

Bringing Western Civilization to the Great Plains. Playing dress-up at Fort Hays. More than 600 soldiers called Fort Hays home, including such luminaries as Wild Bill Hickok, William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, Calamity Jane, and George Armstrong Custer. The Seventh Cavalry and the 10th Cavalry were stationed here. The all-Black 10th earned the name Buffalo Soldiers.

What is Hays, KS close to?

Hays is located in northwestern Kansas at the intersection of Interstate 70 and U.S. Route 183, Hays is 134 miles (216 km) northwest of Wichita, 256 miles (412 km) west of Kansas City, and 311 miles (501 km) east-southeast of Denver. The city lies in the Smoky Hills region of the Great Plains approximately 11 miles (18 km) north of the Smoky Hill River and 15 miles (24 km) south of the Saline River.

What is the crime rate in Hays, KS?

The crime rate in Hays is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 22 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Hays is 1 in 45. Based on FBI crime data, Hays is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Kansas, Hays has a crime rate that is higher than 84% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Hays

Hays Medical Center

Hays Parks and Recreation Department 

HotWorx

Main Street Gym and Fitness 

INSPIRE Body Mind Spirit

Hays Big Creek Trail 

Vineyard Park

Downtown Hays

Fort Hays State Historic Site

Sternberg Museum of Natural History

Roxie on the Road

Neighborhood Scout

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