The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1922-08-10
Western Lands Have Increased in Value From
S1.25 to 500 per acre, and Some Instances
Over $500 per Acre
Hays Has One of the Most Extensive Building Pro-
grams of Any City in Western Kansas. Eigh-
ty Blocks of Paving is the Program for
the Coming Year.
(By R. Kenneth Evans)

The county was first settled by
English who came directly here from
England to take up farming. This
was after it was realized that this
section of the west was well adapted
to agricultural pursuits which would
be more profitable than the raising
Cf range cattle. They brought with
them the first pure bred Galloway
cattle for which the county is today
famous and these cattle being direct
ly from the herds of Queen Victoria
70 England. Today these farmers
have the progeny of these cattle.
Then Russian Farmers found soil
and climate here similar to their nat
i've country and realized that this
would be q wonderful wheat produc-
ing section. They were very success
full in their production and to these
Russians the county of Ellis owes its
great success as a wheat raising coun-
ty and owe the development Of a pro
porous, diversified producing section
20 these farmers.
Little activity in real estate can
also be traced to these self same peo-
pie as hey are of the type that not
only provides a home for himself but
provides a home for his children on
adjoining tracts of land which makes
very little activity in the sale of real
estate although there are still thou
| sands of acres available for develop
ment. The county has not developed
very rapidly but surely it being free
from booms and boom methods.
Farm property values in the coun-
ty range from $1OO to $500 per
acre. Around the city of Walker
which is east of Hays on the main
line of the Union Pacific railroad and
a wide awake marketing center, land
can be purchased for 500 per acre,
although there is not much for sale in
/ that section. Lands generally de-
crease as one travels west through the
county, although there are some lands
| even on west of the city of Hays
which could not be purchased for
$500 per acre. This is not due, how
ever to their physical value but to
the fact that the farms are consider
ed unique by the owners.
Unimproved farm property can
be purchased in Ellis county for $50
to S75 per acre and it is on this class
of land that the newcomer will find
wonderful field of opportunity fol
advancement and development. Graz
/ ing lands are worth from $40 to $25
/ per acre.
Business properties in the cities OF
the county and especially in Hyas anC
Ellis, are very high and due to its
many advantages principally of which
are its educational and marketing
possibilities, residence properties in
Hays are considered very high. In
Hays two lots have brought as high as
SIS, 100000. and the value of some
building lotos will range as high as
$4,000 to $4,000.
At this time Hays has one of the
most extensive building campaigns il
progress in the west and there arr
WOAOC14u1 possibilities 4OI luNeSLmGnL
There is a demand for homes. The
city is recognized as the best busines.
town for its size west of the Missis
sippi river. There is a steady activ
ity in real estate at all tines on sub
stantial basis and a demand for prop
critics. There are no steady rises ii
!, values but every rise is a substantial
one based on demand. Land is pro
ductive and there is bound to b,
steady advance for the man wht
makes his investment in the count,
today either in farm or city property
Especially in the city of Hays, tn
capital of Ellis county, Oportunitie
are open for the professional man
business man, artisan or small trades
: man. It is a city of beautiful home
and substantial business buildings
: All modern public utilities are pro
vided including an excellent waite
system, electric lighting system, tele
phone system and transcontinenta