Hays in Ellis County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Santa Fe Mail Company Depot
Hays City, Kansas
Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 1, 2016
1. Santa Fe Mail Company Depot Marker
Inscription.
Santa Fe Mail Company Depot. Hays City, Kansas. When the Union Pacific Railway, Eastern Division reached Hays City in October, 1867, this site became the temporary starting point of the Santa Fe Trail until mid-1868. The Five-Mule Concord Coaches of the Santa Fe Mail Company left here daily on the 4½ day run to Santa Fe. During these months, Hays City was also the eastern terminus for the coaches of the United States Express Co. going to and from Denver. In 1871 M.J.R. Treat moved the old Perry House to this site from across the railroad tracks and renamed it the Gibson House. The building was destroyed by fire on January 12, 1877. During the blaze, Mrs. Louie Lord, a well-known actress of the day, and her troupe had to leave the building by ladders.
When the Union Pacific Railway, Eastern Division reached Hays City in October, 1867, this site became the temporary starting point of the Santa Fe Trail until mid-1868. The Five-Mule Concord Coaches of the Santa Fe Mail Company left here daily on the 4½ day run to Santa Fe. During these months, Hays City was also the eastern terminus for the coaches of the United States Express Co. going to and from Denver. In 1871 M.J.R. Treat moved the old Perry House to this site from across the railroad tracks and renamed it the Gibson House. The building was destroyed by fire on January 12, 1877. During the blaze, Mrs. Louie Lord, a well-known actress of the day, and her troupe had to leave the building by ladders.
Erected by City of Hays Kansas Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Location. 38° 52.291′ N, 99° 19.93′ W. Marker is in Hays, Kansas, in Ellis County. Marker is on West 9th Street east of Fort Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker
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is at or near this postal address: 124 West 9th Street, Hays KS 67601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Wide view of marker in front of current Regal Audio-Video store.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 355 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on August 5, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.