Motel 6 Hays

Oldest Church in Western Kansas

by atufft

In 1873, toward the end of the lawless period, a group of Presbyterians under the leadership of "Grandma" Annie Wilson formed a congregation to reform their brethren in town, and by 1879, the limestone church shown here was built at 100 West 7th Street. This structure, one of the few dating to this period in Hays history, remains also one of the oldest church buildings in western Kansas. The larger Gothic style brick building was added around the turn of the century. Today, the Ellis County Historical Society operates a museum, mostly oriented toward German pioneer relics, and historical book store in both buildings, and nearby is a a Volga German Haus. In back are two Volga-German graves. The First Presbyterian Church congregation has long since relocated to a marvelous new building at 2900 Hall Street, within one of the more affluent neighborhoods in town not far from the university.

A LAND OF STRANGE BASKETBALL FANS?

by Rich62

"THE GAME"

HERE ARE THE STUDENTS AT FT. HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY at a basketball game. They seem to be locked in another time, like maybe 1970. For example, despite current concerns over alcohol abuse on campuses, they have their pep band play "In heaven there is no beer/thats why we drink it here...." etc. Where we were sitting, there were grown women who jumped up to clap along each time it was played, as though it were some sort of Hays official anthem. sad.
Then the students and even some adults spent the whole of two games shredding newspapers and throwing the confetti in the air every time the least thing happened on the court, even a free throw or a time out! weird. The students seemed more concerned with yelling obscenities toward the visiting team and fans than in supporting their own team. Many wore obscene T-shirts to the game.
Apparently the administration of the school offers little or no guidance here.

"ENTERING HAYS"

THIS IS WHAT it looks like taking the main exit into Hays off of I-70 coming from the east.

This is probably exit #159, which would put you on hwy. 183. Most of Hays is to the south of the interstate.

"MYSTERY MUSHROOM"

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS IS. Probably either a church or one of those domes to store sand that the county spreads on roads when its icy.

Recently a Flickr friend emailed me to say that he thinks this might be a museum of natural history. Fossils and the like.