At the Ellis Railroad Museum, visitors can ride a miniature passenger train: the General Motors Aero Streamliner travels a 0.75-mile route. The museum also preserves the history of the Union Pacific Railroad in Ellis. Here, a specific attraction and the town’s railroad history come together.
Architecture and Remembrance
The Basilica of St. Fidelis in Victoria is a Romanesque building made of locally sourced limestone, built in 1911. St. Fidelis Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 14, 1971, for its architectural significance. The Walter P. Chrysler Boyhood Home offers a glimpse into a different era: the Chrysler family lived in the house from 1889 to 1908. A building behind it, constructed in 1994, displays personal belongings of Walter P. Chrysler.
The history of Volga German settlers also comes to life in Ellis. The Bukovina Society Headquarters-Museum is housed in a historic church and preserves artifacts from Bukovinian emigrants as well as a small library of books. The Volga German Haus, meanwhile, is a reconstruction in the size and style of a house built by early Volga German settlers. Authentic household items used by settlers complete the furnishings.
Museums and Special Exhibits
The Ellis Railroad Museum also has a working model railroad layout covering more than 5,000 square feet. For another look at the town’s history, the Walter P. Chrysler Boyhood Home shows how long the Chrysler family lived there; the 1994 building adds to this perspective with personal belongings. The main gallery at the Ellis County Historical Society Museum is open. You can schedule a visit to the outbuildings—including the Harness Shop, Volga German Haus, and Firehouse Museum—by phone.
At the Sternberg Museum, the rattlesnake exhibit features live animals. Since the animal presentation may change, check before your visit to see if it is still available. Art lovers will find two different exhibition venues in Hays: the Hays Arts Center Gallery hosts many new exhibitions throughout the year. The Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art regularly presents work by students and faculty, as well as traveling exhibitions.
Prairie, Wildlife, and Trails
The Dr. Howard Reynolds Nature Trails include 2.0 miles of gravel trails through upland prairie and along a riparian corridor. Along the way, you can observe wildlife at the pond and creek, as well as birds and butterflies. North of the city of Ellis, the prairie leads to the Arien Hills. Those more interested in history on foot will find a different focus on the historic Hays City Walking Tour: it covers figures such as Calamity Jane, Wild Bill Hickok, Buffalo Bill Cody, and General George Armstrong Custer, who passed through Old Hays City during the 1860s to 1880s.
Wildlife viewing is also possible here in a different way than along the trails: at the Hays Bison Pens, visitors can pull over at a turnout and watch the bison herd. Walter P. Chrysler Park in Ellis provides access to fishing on Big Creek. These locations offer different ways to spend time outdoors—from watching wildlife along a riparian corridor to fishing in the creek.
Events and Practical Information
Fort Hays State Historic Site is open Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; the site is closed on state holidays. Hours may change, so check before your visit. Tours take you through four preserved original buildings: the blockhouse, guardhouse, and two officers’ quarters.
When planning your trip, it’s also worth checking the events calendar. The Volga German Oktoberfest in Ellis County takes place annually and features German food; check the dates and program for the year you plan to visit. The Bukovinafest takes place in Ellis every three years. These different schedules can help you plan a visit around a specific event.
For air travel, Hays Regional Airport offers daily flights to Denver, with connections to United Airlines’ larger route network. Check flight options before booking, as schedules are subject to change. The Hays Welcome Center provides maps, directions, and brochures about attractions, events, and accommodations; check the latest operating details before you arrive. You can find further traces of regional history in cemeteries across Ellis County: there are between 13 and more than 100 iron grave crosses, forged from steel and iron by local Volga German blacksmiths. The church known as “The Cross in the Valley” has a 165-foot main tower topped by a golden cross.
Discover more destinations: Hays, Ellis, Phillips County, Atchison, Meade County, Butler, Ford County, Johnson.
For the main travel overview: Kansas.
