COUNCIL GROVE, Kan. (AP) Five months after a devastating fire, the Historic Hays House 1857 Restaurant in Council Grove is about to reopen.
The restaurant is believed to be the oldest continuously operated restaurant west of the Mississippi River. It was opened in 1857 by Seth M. Hays, the grandson of Daniel Boone.
A fire on Dec. 14 destroyed the kitchen and caused soot and smoke damage throughout the building. No one was injured in the fire, which began in a grease fryer.
The Council Grove Republican reports the restaurant will reopen May 18. A group of 25 Council Grove residents bought the restaurant after the fire. Rick Paul, who owned and operated the business from 1988 to 2002, will return as general manager and head chef.
