Merriam in Johnson County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Merriam Park
Photographed By Thomas Onions, July 5, 2009
1. Merriam Park Marker
President Ulysses S. Grant dedicated a spectacular park on this site on July 1, 1880. Built by the Ft. Scott & Gulf Railroad and designed by the famed landscape architect George Kessler, the park covered 40 acres from Shawnee Mission Parkway to 65th Street and from Grandview to the Railroad tracks.
An attraction visited by thousands, Merriam Park featured a zoo with bear pits, a lagoon used for summer sailboating and winter ice-skating, and a horse-drawn carousel.
Park visitors also enjoyed tennis, croquet, baseball and square dancing. A personal dream of park superintendent George Kessler was realized when he brought to the park a tree from every country in the world.
On stepping off the train platform, visitors were greeted by the sound of band concerts and the vision of "MERRIAM" spelled out in flowers.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Places • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1864.
Location. 39° 0.869′ N, 94° 41.389′ W. Marker is in Merriam, Kansas, in Johnson County. Marker is at the intersection of East Frontage Road (Interstate 35 Frontage Road) and Eby Avenue, on the right when traveling west on East Frontage Road. This marker is in the east part of the Visitor Center for the
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Community of Excellence (a few steps from this marker); City of Firsts (a few steps from this marker); Incorporation of Merriam (a few steps from this marker); The South Park Community (within shouting distance of this marker); Education in Merriam (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bear Pit (within shouting distance of this marker); The Trolley Line & Hocker Grove Amusement Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Merriam Park & George Kessler (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Merriam.
Also see . . . Merriam Visitor's Bureau. This is the official link to the City of Merriam. (Submitted on July 7, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.)
Photographed By Thomas Onions, July 5, 2009
2. Area shot of the Merriam Park Marker
Photographed By Thomas Onions, December 23, 2008
3. KC, Ft. Scott and Gulf RR Bldg
This is the former headquarters of the Kansas City, Fort Scott, and Gulf Railroad. It is located at 9th and Broadway in Kansas City, Missouri and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a Contributing Building. The building contains offices for DST Systems.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 6, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 7, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas. This page has been viewed 1,545 times since then and 96 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 7, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
