Hays House 1857 Restaurant & Tavern

Established in 1857 by town founder Seth Hays, the Hays House Restaurant and Tavern is notable for being the oldest continuously operating restaurant west of the Mississippi. This is also one of the oldest buildings in the state of Kansas. In its early years, the Council Grove was frequented by travelers heading along the Santa Fe trail, as this was the last place where travelers along the trail could rest and resupply before traveling the remaining two months to New Mexico. As such, the Hays House was a popular stopping point. The Santa Fe trail saw declining use following the completion of western railroad lines from the first Transcontinental Railroad in 1869 which ran across Nebraska, to several other routes by 1880 when the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad was completed. The ATSF railroad bypassed Council Grove and many businesses catering to travelers closed, but Hays House was able to stay in business by focussing on nearby residents. Today, the restaurant remains popular among locals and attracts many tourists who make a point of stopping at this restaurant because of its connection to Council Grove's history. The restaurant also showcases some exhibits from local Native American cultures.

Even among other historic bars, the Hays House Restaurant and Tavern is especially unique. This establishment is the oldest restaurant in Kansas, one of the state's oldest buildings, and the oldest continuously operating restaurant west of the Mississippi River. Like many other early Council Grove businesses, the Hays House was built during a time when travelers frequented the area in the early stages of the Santa Fe Trail. This city was a popular stopping point as the last opportunity for travelers to stop, rest, and stock up on much-needed supplies before embarking on the remainder of the Trail, a trip that would take at least two more months.

The Hays House was established in 1857 by Seth Hays, a local businessman who was the first settler and founder of Council Grove. Hays ran a shop nearby with one other called S.M. Hays & Co., which was a multiuse establishment serving as "a trading post, restaurant, hotel, courthouse, post office, printing office, meeting and social hall." Understandably, as the town grew, so did the need for these operations to run out of separate buildings, leading to the founding of new businesses like the Hays House. For a time in the 1860s, Hays sold his business interest in the company to his business partner, G.M. Simcock, before moving to Colorado for several years. However, in 1866, Hays came back, taking ownership once again of the original store building, while Simcock moved his business to the building later known as the Trowbridge Building. From then on, the Hays House became a popular stopping point for locals and travelers alike, offering meals and rooms to those preparing for the long journey to Santa Fe. Patrons over the years included Jesse James and General George Armstrong Custer. According to the Kansas Press:

“Those who have occasion to stop at Council Grove, on the Santa Fe Road, will do well to ‘put up’ with Charles A. Gilkey [Hay’s hotel clerk]…mine host of the Hayes House. [They]…cannot but help feeling quite at home.”

Use of the Santa Fe Trail declined after the completion of several area railroads following the Civil War culminating with the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe railroad in 1880. Council Grove was not chosen as a stopping point for the new train system, so many local businesses, like the Last Chance Store, lost customers. This restaurant was able to continue in operation through both World Wars, the Great Depression, and numerous local recessions. Today, the Hays House Restaurant and Tavern is famous for its longevity and its ties to the early history of Council Grove. Along with its reputation for a consistent menu and service, the iconic Kansas landmark also houses historical artifacts, including artwork, arrowheads, Native American relics, and a collection of crystals. There is also an outdoor exhibit in front of the building.

Keane, Katharine. Hays House Restaurant and Tavern in Council Grove, Kansas, National Trust for Historic Preservation. December 17th, 2015. Accessed March 1st, 2024. https://savingplaces.org/stories/hays-house-restaurant-and-tavern-council-grove-kansas.

Hays House 1857 Restaurant & Tavern, Travel Kansas. Accessed March 1st, 2024. https://www.travelks.com/listing/hays-house-1857-restaurant-%26-tavern/563/.

About Hays House 1857 Restaurant & Tavern..., Hays House. Accessed March 1st, 2024. https://www.hayshouse.com/.

Hays House (Restaurant), National Parks Service. Accessed March 1st, 2024. https://www.nps.gov/places/hays-house-restaurant.htm#:~:text=The%20Hays%20House%20lays%20claim,flour%2C%20and%20tinware%20from%20him..

Seth Hays – Founder of Council Grove, Kansas, Legends of Kansas. Accessed March 1st, 2024. https://legendsofkansas.com/seth-hays/.