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

Kansas Pacific Depot

Hays City, Kansas

Photographed by Mark Hilton, August 1, 2016

1. Kansas Pacific Depot Marker

Inscription. The first depot on this site was completed in November 1867. Here on September 18, 1869, Deputy U.S. Marshal John Bridges arrested Bob Connors, an accused murderer, who was fleeing on an east-bound train. Bridges jailed him at Fort Hays because of threatened mob violence in town, and the post commander flatly refused to turn the prisoner over to Sheriff Hickok. Bridges broke up the infamous Ledford gang of horse thieves, eventually killing John E. Ledford at Wichita in 1871. He became marshal of Dodge City in 1882.

Erected by City of Hays Kansas Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Law Enforcement • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is September 18, 1869.

Location. 38° 52.316′ N, 99° 19.921′ W. Marker is in Hays, Kansas, in Ellis County. It is on West 9th Street west of Main Street, on the left when traveling west. West 9th Street is one-way going west in this area. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: West 9th Street, Hays KS 67601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Kansas’ Smoky Hills.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Perry House (within shouting distance of this marker); Walsh’s Gambling Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); R. W. Evans’ Grocery Store

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(within shouting distance of this marker); Cy Goddard’s Dance Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Waters and Murray’s Saloon (within shouting distance of this marker); Kate Coffey’s Saloon (within shouting distance of this marker); White's Barber Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); Santa Fe Mail Company Depot (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hays.

Kansas Pacific Depot Marker in front of train tracks in Union Pacific Plaza. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, August 1, 2016

2. Kansas Pacific Depot Marker in front of train tracks in Union Pacific Plaza.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,098 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 5, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.