Olathe in Johnson County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Trail Campground..To Farm..To Park
In 1857, Newton Ainsworth claimed this land and allowed the trail travelers to continue camping here. A decade later, the railroads began to make their way west and the great overland trails became a part of history. The need for camping at Lone Elm ceased. Cattle and sheep replaced the wagons and oxen teams. The prairie grass sod became cultivated crop fields. Water wells were dug with picks and shovels. Through the years, this land would be farmed similar to other nearby farms. Lone Elm Park, dedicated in 2005, now exists on this famous quarter section. The vision for this park was set long ago when various individuals, including Ainsworth, were desirous of marking the trails and preserving their stories. Today, Lone Elm Park continues that vision. Once again, people can gather at Lone Elm.
"In May and June, 1857, I broke seventy acres of virgin Kansas soil on the Lone Elm Campground...on the fourth day of March, 1858, I unloaded the lumber to build a cabin. It was only 10x11 feet, with the ground for a floor, we lived in it for two years, and it was the first cabin erected in this part of the county."
- Newton Ainsworth
Excerpt from his speech when the DAR trail marker was placed at Lone Elm in 1906.
Erected by City of Olathe.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Parks & Recreational Areas • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Oregon Trail, the Overland Trail, and the Santa Fe Trail series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1858.
Location. 38° 49.346′ N, 94° 49.819′ W. Marker is in Olathe, Kansas, in Johnson County. Marker is about 50 feet SE of the picnic shelter in Lone Elm Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 21151 West 167th Street, Olathe KS 66062, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Travelers (here, next to this marker); A Most Desirable Spot For Camping (here, next to this marker); Roads To The West (here, next to this marker); Lone Elm Park (a few steps from this marker); Trails West (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lone Elm Campground (about 600 feet away); Santa Fe Trail (approx. 0.3 miles away); Elm Grove Campground (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Olathe.
Also see . . .
1. Oregon-California Trails Association. (Submitted on August 13, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Santa Fe Trail Association. Association website (Submitted on August 13, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 975 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 13, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 5. submitted on February 28, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 6. submitted on August 13, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 7, 8, 9. submitted on August 12, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 10, 11. submitted on August 13, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.