Olathe in Johnson County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Home Sweet Home
J.B. Mahaffie is building, on his farm just east of town a large two story dwelling house.
Olathe Mirror - July 20, 1865
In 1857, James B. (Beatty) and Lucinda Mahaffie moved to Olathe from northern Indiana with four children. In 1858, J.B. sold his lot in town and used oxen to move a section of the home on that property to his new farm site in the country, a mile east of town. The family lived in that dwelling until they built this sturdy, limestone farmhouse late in 1865. The new home was built in front of the old house.
Look carefully at the closest corner of the home, near the top of the front of the house. Can you find the date the house was built?
Constructed with a full cellar to serve as a dining hall and kitchen for the stagecoach trade, the home was a farmhouse as well as stagecoach stop. Farming was always the main occupation of James Beatty Mahaffie - he called himself a "farmer" rather than innkeeper in the state and federal census.
By the end of the Civil War, JB's farming operation covered almost 600 acres. An entrepreneur and businessman, JB was active in agricultural organizations, served as a county commissioner, and was a board member of one of the earliest railroad companies planning a rail line into Olathe. The end of the stagecoach era in 1869 was not a threat to the Mahaffies' well-being.
Erected by City of Olathe.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is July 20, 1865.
Location. 38° 53.512′ N, 94° 48.071′ W. Marker is in Olathe, Kansas, in Johnson County. Marker is at the front steps of the Mahaffie home at the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1200 Kansas City Road, Olathe KS 66061, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fast Food (a few steps from this marker); Rest for the Weary (a few steps from this marker); State Your Business... (a few steps from this marker); Stagecoach Drivers (a few steps from this marker); Up In Smoke (within shouting distance of this marker); There's No Roost Like Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Pit Stop (within shouting distance of this marker); A Survivor (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Olathe.
Also see . . . Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm. (Submitted on August 16, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 3, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 787 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 16, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 6. submitted on August 15, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.