Hays in Ellis County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Guardhouse

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 20, 2012

1. Guardhouse Marker

Inscription.
The native limestone guardhouse replaced an earlier wooden structure in 1872. It included a room for the non-commissioned officer of the guard, the guardroom, and the military prison, which included three solitary cells.

Most prisoners were enlisted men, held for disorderly conduct, insubordination, desertion, and even murder. Prisoners slept on straw bed sacks on the stone floor until 1881 when a "banquette" or platform was built. Soldiers on 24-hour guard duty looked after prisoners and tended to fort security.

Some of the original soldiers' carvings in the limestone blocks of the guardhouse are still visible, including the name of Sergeant Thomas Kenny, who was at Fort Hays for four years until it was abandoned in 1889. Kenny was a marksman and participated in military shooting competitions at Fort Leavenworth and Kansas City.

Erected by Kansas Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.

Location. 38° 51.71′ N, 99° 20.646′ W. Marker is in Hays, Kansas, in Ellis County. Marker is on the grounds of Fort Hays State Historic Site, off US Hwy 163 Alternate. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1472 US Highway 163 Alternate, Hays KS 67601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fort Hays Military Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Sentinel Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); Officers in Tents (within shouting distance of this marker); Well House (within shouting distance of this marker); Outhouses (within shouting distance of this marker); Buffalo Bill Cody (within shouting distance of this marker); Garden (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bake House (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hays.

Also see . . .
1. Fort Hays State Historic Site. (Submitted on September 24, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Fort Hays State Historic Site. (Submitted on September 24, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Guardhouse Photo on Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Unknown, undated

2. Guardhouse Photo on Marker

Soldier Henry Heinze Engraving on Guardhouse Wall image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 20, 2012

3. Soldier Henry Heinze Engraving on Guardhouse Wall

Soldier A. H. Epperson Engraving on Guardhouse Wall image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 20, 2012

4. Soldier A. H. Epperson Engraving on Guardhouse Wall

Guardhouse and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 20, 2012

5. Guardhouse and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 24, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 402 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 24, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.