You’ll find the ghost town of Rome, Kansas tucked along Big Creek in Ellis County, where it briefly flourished in 1867. Buffalo Bill Cody helped establish this frontier settlement, which quickly grew to 2,000 residents with saloons, shops, and a stone house built by Cody himself. The town’s rivalry with nearby Hays City led to its rapid decline by 1868, though a stone marker near West 12th Avenue still marks this fascinating chapter of Kansas history.
Key Takeaways
- Rome was established in 1867 along Big Creek in Ellis County, Kansas, reaching 2,000 residents before becoming deserted by 1868.
- Buffalo Bill Cody helped found the settlement and built its first permanent structure, a stone house that symbolized stability.
- Competition from nearby Hays City and lack of railroad support led to Rome’s rapid downfall within one year of establishment.
- A stone marker near West 12th Avenue identifies the original townsite, while the Ellis County Historical Society preserves Rome’s artifacts.
- Archaeological findings and WPA projects revealed the town’s layout, including remnants of hotels, saloons, and evidence of frontier commerce.
The Birth of a Frontier Settlement
In the spring of 1867, the frontier settlement of Rome emerged along the banks of Big Creek in newly-formed Ellis County, Kansas.
You’ll find its strategic location was no accident – positioned perfectly west of Big Creek and north of the planned Kansas Pacific Railroad route. The legendary Buffalo Bill Cody and railroad contractor William Rose saw immense potential in this untamed territory.
Despite founding challenges like limited infrastructure, Rome’s population exploded to 2,000 residents within weeks. Buffalo Bill’s stone house, the first of its kind in the settlement, demonstrated the town’s rapid development.
Bloomfield, Moses & Co. opened a second general store shortly after the Lull brothers established the first, while early conflicts emerged over railroad positioning with neighboring settlements.
The town quickly attracted hundreds of railroad workers and buffalo hunters, spurring the rapid development of saloons, gambling halls, and the Perry Hotel.
Rome’s birth represented the raw spirit of western expansion and the promise of frontier opportunity.
Buffalo Bill’s Vision and Early Development
You’ll find Buffalo Bill Cody‘s first stone house standing as a tribute to his pioneering vision for Rome, Kansas, which he co-founded with William Rose in 1867.
From this humble beginning, you can trace how the settlement quickly grew with the arrival of railroad workers, buffalo hunters, and merchants who were drawn to the promising frontier town. Within just a week, the population reached 500 residents and a two-room stone drug store was established.
The founders’ ambitious development plans included offering free lots to potential settlers, though these efforts would ultimately be overshadowed by the emerging rival settlement of Hays City. Just as ancient Romulus founded Rome in Italy, Buffalo Bill sought to establish his own enduring legacy in the American frontier.
Buffalo Bill’s Stone House
Pioneer spirit materialized in stone when Buffalo Bill Cody constructed the first permanent building in Rome, Kansas, during 1867. This architectural milestone marked Buffalo Bill’s commitment to establishing a lasting settlement in the frontier town.
You’ll find that his stone house served as both a personal residence and a symbol of permanence that attracted other settlers to the region.
The structure anchored a rapidly growing community, inspiring the construction of additional stone buildings including the two-story Perry Hotel and a drug store.
Within months, you could spot about twenty-five buildings south of the creek, with Buffalo Bill’s stone house standing as the cornerstone of this ambitious development.
His architectural choice reflected a vision of Rome as a thriving metropolis rather than just another temporary frontier outpost. The town’s early success was fueled by the arrival of the Kansas Pacific Railroad and its workforce.
The town’s potential seemed promising as the population swelled to two thousand by mid-June.
Early Population Growth Plans
Shortly after Ellis County’s organization in 1867, Buffalo Bill Cody and railroad contractor William Rose established Rome as the county’s first settlement, strategically positioning it near Big Creek and the planned Kansas Pacific Railroad route.
Their settlement strategies focused on capitalizing on lot sales as the town’s population grew. You’d have found the Lull brothers’ general store marking the first infrastructure development, while their plans envisioned Rome becoming the metropolitan center of the county.
Population dynamics shifted rapidly – by mid-June, about 500 residents called Rome home, mostly railroad workers. When construction of the tracks brought 1,200 workers to the area, the town’s numbers swelled to 2,000 by July’s end. This diverse mix included soldiers, buffalo hunters, and merchants responding to the growing demand for goods and services.
Economic Life in Early Rome
You’ll find that Rome’s early economic life centered around the 1,200 Kansas Pacific Railroad workers who fueled rapid growth and development in 1867.
Similar to the oil boom in Oxford, Rome experienced a period of prosperity driven by natural resource development and industry growth.
The workers’ presence sparked a boom in saloons and entertainment venues, creating a lively atmosphere along the town’s dusty streets.
Like many agricultural communities of that era, Rome’s local businesses played a vital role in establishing and sustaining the town’s identity.
Local merchants like Bloomfield, Moses & Co. operated thriving general stores that supplied essential goods to railroad crews, buffalo hunters, and soldiers stationed in the area.
Railroad Workers Drive Growth
The arrival of 1,200 Kansas Pacific Railroad workers in 1867 transformed Rome from an empty prairie into a bustling frontier town. You’d have seen the railroad laborers’ impact everywhere – they filled the Perry Hotel, crowded the saloons, and kept local merchants prospering.
Much like the rate wars over cattle that would later erupt between competing railroads, Rome’s economic landscape was highly competitive. The workers’ steady income fueled an economic boom that attracted entrepreneurs like the Lull brothers and Bloomfield Moses & Co., who opened general stores to serve the growing population.
Within months, Rome’s population swelled to over 2,000 as buffalo hunters and soldiers joined the mix. The town’s founders, Buffalo Bill Cody and William Rose, anticipated huge profits from land sales driven by the railroad’s presence.
You could feel the energy of the frontier spirit as Rome rapidly evolved into a crucial supply and recreation hub.
Saloons and Entertainment Flourish
More than four popular saloons dotted Rome’s dusty streets by 1868, transforming the frontier outpost into a lively entertainment hub. You’d find establishments like the Lone Star, The Dewdrop Inn, The Occidental, and The Last Chance buzzing with Union Pacific railroad workers, buffalo hunters, and soldiers seeking refuge from their rugged work lives.
The saloons’ influence extended far beyond mere drinking establishments – they served as the town’s primary social centers where business deals were struck, news spread, and fortunes were won or lost at the gambling tables. Rome Hanks, cousin of President Abraham Lincoln, established a local trading post that became another gathering spot for townspeople and travelers alike.
The gambling culture attracted diverse crowds, fueling Rome’s economy and drawing secondary businesses like the Perry Hotel. While occasional violence erupted from heated card games or drunken disputes, these entertainment venues remained crucial to the community’s social fabric and economic prosperity.
Supply Stores Serve Population
Commercial life in Rome began earnestly when three pioneering merchants established general stores near the Kansas Pacific Railroad tracks in 1867. The Lull brothers, Buffalo Bill Cody with William Rose, and Bloomfield, Moses & Company stocked essential supply store inventory to serve the bustling population of railroad workers and settlers.
You’d find fresh buffalo and antelope meat, firewood from Big Creek, hay for livestock, and prized buffalo robes among their provisions. These stores became crucial community provisioning centers, serving hundreds of Union Pacific workers while supporting Rome’s explosive growth to 2,000 residents.
The stores’ presence encouraged settlement, functioning as social hubs where you could acquire tools, dry goods, and household necessities. This commercial foundation spurred rapid development of hotels and entertainment venues, though competition from Hays City would later challenge Rome’s prosperity.
The Rise of Hays City and Rome’s Decline
Backed by powerful railroad interests, Hays City rapidly overshadowed its rival Rome in 1867 when Dr. William Webb established his competing settlement just a mile east across Big Creek.
The railroad competition between the towns created an intense town rivalry that would determine their fates.
You can trace Rome’s quick demise through these key events:
- Webb’s Big Creek Land Company secured official railroad backing for Hays City.
- Rome’s founders Cody and Rose refused partnership with Webb, sealing their town’s fate.
- Businesses and residents abandoned Rome for better railroad access in Hays.
- By 1868, Rome became completely deserted, just one year after its founding.
The Kansas Pacific Railroad’s decision to support Hays City proved decisive, transforming it into the region’s dominant commercial hub while Rome faded into history.
Legacy of the Lost Town
Despite its brief existence, Rome’s legacy endures through physical landmarks, historical records, and cultural memory as Kansas’s first settlement in Ellis County.
You’ll find a stone marker near West 12th Avenue identifying the original townsite, while the Ellis County Historical Society maintains valuable artifacts and documents from this pioneering settlement.
Thanks to a 1930s WPA project, you can explore detailed maps reconstructed from settler accounts and newspaper records, making historical preservation efforts more meaningful.
The ghost town tourism potential lives on through educational programs and heritage tours that highlight Rome’s role in shaping the region’s development.
While Rome vanished, its pioneer spirit endures through heritage tourism showcasing its vital role in early Ellis County history.
Though the town failed, its impact resonates in the infrastructure projects it inspired and the subsequent growth of neighboring communities like Hays City.
Archaeological and Historical Significance
When settlers first established Rome in May 1867, they created what would become Ellis County’s earliest settlement, strategically positioned along Big Creek near Fort Hays.
Archaeological findings from WPA projects in the 1930s have revealed fascinating details about this short-lived frontier town’s layout and daily life.
Historical preservation efforts have documented four key aspects of Rome’s significance:
- Foundation remnants of the Perry Hotel, saloons, and stone houses showcase the town’s rapid development.
- Artifacts from railroad construction and buffalo hunting tell the story of frontier commerce.
- Material evidence of gambling halls and saloons reflects the vibrant social culture.
- The townsite’s archaeological mapping provides vital insights into early Kansas settlement patterns.
Today, while privately owned, the site stands as a monument to the dynamic forces that shaped America’s western expansion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Were There Any Native American Conflicts During Rome’s Brief Existence?
As you’d imagine, native American relations were tense during Rome’s time, with violent historical conflicts erupting nearby along the Solomon and Saline Rivers, including deadly Cheyenne raids through Lincoln County.
What Happened to the Buildings and Materials After Rome Was Abandoned?
You’ll find building materials from the ghost town weren’t preserved – they scattered through natural decay, flooding, and likely salvaging. Some wood may have been reused in a nearby mill built in 1876.
How Did Mail and Communication Services Operate in Early Rome?
You’d find mail routes running through the Kansas Pacific Railroad, with your letters handled at general stores and hotels. Communication methods included informal message sharing at local gathering spots and railway deliveries.
What Was the Average Cost of Land and Property in Rome?
You’d hit the jackpot with land prices initially high due to railroad speculation, but property values took a nosedive when Hays City won the railroad’s favor, making lots practically worthless.
Did Any Famous Outlaws or Gunfighters Visit Rome During Its Existence?
You won’t find reliable records of outlaw legends or gunfighter visits in Rome’s history, except for Buffalo Bill Cody, who wasn’t an outlaw but a legitimate businessman and frontier showman.
References
- https://legendsofkansas.com/rome-kansas/
- https://digging-history.com/2015/04/01/ghost-town-wednesday-rome-kansas/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rome
- https://www.visithays.com/250/Old-Rome-Townsite—Historic-Marker
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyBXD18P_j4
- https://digging-history.com/blog/page/13/
- https://codyarchive.org/item/wfc.pmp00001
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_Bill
- https://centerofthewest.org/2018/01/12/points-west-buffalo-bill-town-1/
- https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=96486
