The Sky-Vu Drive In Theatre, located on Old U.S. 40 a mile west of Russell, opened April 2, 1950. Only the sign remains.

The grand-opening ad noted:

       “DON’T DRESS UP—COME AS YOU ARE!

       EAT, SMOKE, DRINK, CHEW, IF YOU LIKE!

       SOLID COMFORT—NO ONE SEES YOU!”

The first movie screened was The Return of October starring Glenn Ford. Admission was 50 cents.

Blue Star Memorial Highways are a tribute to all men and women who have served, are currently serving, or will serve in the Armed Forces of the United States. The memorial marker program is a project of the National Garden Clubs, Inc. U.S. 40 across Kansas was designated a Blue Star Memorial Highway in 1968. This memorial is at 8th and Vine St. in Hays.

“Old” Fort Hays, originally called Fort Fletcher, was a stop on the newly opened Butterfield’s Overland Despatch. A flood destroyed much of the stage stop and the fort was moved to its present site southwest of Hays. The new Fort Hays officially opened June 23, 1867, just four months before the railroad arrived. It closed as a military post in November of 1889. Four remaining fort buildings including the blockhouse (above), interpretive displays, and a visitor center make up the Fort Hays State Historic Site.

Walter P. Chrysler, born in Wamego, Kansas, moved to Ellis when he was three years old. He worked for the Buick Motor Company and the Maxwell Motor Company before creating his own company. After merging with Maxwell, Chrysler became the nation’s third largest automaker. His boyhood home in Ellis sits directly on old U.S. 40.

This larger-than-life bronze sculpture of Buffalo Bill is located on the west side of Oakley. Buffalo Bill is shown riding his horse “Brigham” with his .50 caliber Springfield rifle “Lucretia Borgia.” The sculpture was dedicated in 2006.