Sunset Hill in Kansas City in Jackson County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
William Bent - Seth Ward Home
Photographed By Thomas Onions, August 16, 2009
1. William Bent - Seth Ward Home Marker
Situated on property once owned by Mormon Bishop Edward Partridge and by Alexander Doniphan, this homestead was acquired in 1858 by Colonel William W. Bent, founder of Bent's Fort, Colorado. In 1864, during Bent's residency, the farm pastures (now Loose Park) were the site of the Battle of Westport. Seth E. Ward, wagon master and Indian trader, purchased the property in 1871 and completed Bent's antebellum house. Restoration was begun in 1949 by Dr. and Mrs. Frederick B. Campbell.
Erected 1976 by Sarah Lewis Boone Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.
Location. 39° 1.692′ N, 94° 36.09′ W. Marker is in Kansas City, Missouri, in Jackson County. It is in Sunset Hill. Marker is on 55st Street, 0.1 miles east of Ward Parkway, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1032 West 55th Street, Kansas City MO 64112, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Bent & Ward Houses (a few steps from this marker); Battle of Westport (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Seth Ward House. Santa Fe Trail Historic Sites (Submitted on December 25, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. William Bent. Wikipedia entry on William Bent (Submitted on August 17, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.)
3. Seth Ward. (Submitted on August 17, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.)
Additional commentary.
1. Colonel William Bent and Seth Ward
Colonel William Bent would have a couple of links to the Santa Fe Trail. This house is not far from the village of Westport to the north where traders would set out for Santa Fe. Bent's Fort was a major stop along the Mountain
Photographed By Thomas Onions, August 16, 2009
2. William Bent - Seth Ward Home Marker
Area photo of the home and marker
Seth Ward, the later owner of the house, also had connections to the trail traffic - both Oregon and Santa Fe. Mr. Ward was the official sutler of Ft. Laramie, one of the busiest posts on the Oregon Trail. He returned to Kansas City and married Mary McCarty, who was the divorced daughter of Colonel John Harris. John Harris was the owner of the Harris House which was a major establishment to rest before the trek on the trails.
Source: Wikipedia sites.
Note: Seth Ward married Mary Frances McCarty who was the widowed daughter of John and Henrietta Harris. She was not divorced as indicated in the Wikipedia article.
— Submitted August 17, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.
Photographed By Thomas Onions, January 17, 2010
3. Gravesite of Seth Ward
Headstone of Seth Ward in the Forest Hill Cemetery - 70th & Troost.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas. This page has been viewed 3,108 times since then and 63 times this year. Last updated on October 11, 2009, by Westport Historical Society of Kansas City, Missouri. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 17, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas. 3. submitted on January 18, 2010, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
