Hesston in Harvey County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Hesston

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, April 3, 2014

1. Hesston Marker

Inscription. In the 1870s this area was settled by people with diverse backgrounds who shared the promise of the land. With an influx of those of Mennonite faith and the railroad's birth in the 1880s, success of the town was very likely. Hesston's name honors 1884 settlers Amos and Abraham L. Hess, owners of the land on which the city was platted in 1886. In 1908 A.L. Hess donated 80 acres for Hesston College. Its first building "Green Gables" opened in 1909 with D.H. Bender as president. In 1995 the Gables was torn down. Early town builders were Rapp, Randall, Wenger, Grabill, McNutt, and Shaver. Three homes built from cement blocks made by Lyon Bros. (Hesston's first factory) and C.T. Barton's 1886 grocery store still exist. Businesses that have impacted the growth of Hesston are Hesston Corp., King Construction Co. and Excel. The pioneers' legacy of perseverance thrives in Hesston today.

Erected 1998 by Harvey County Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Kansas, Harvey County Historical Society

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series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 38° 8.317′ N, 97° 25.884′ W. Marker is in Hesston, Kansas, in Harvey County. It is at the intersection of North Main Street and East Smith Street, on the right when traveling north on North Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 North Main Street, Hesston KS 67062, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Kansas and in Greater Wichita.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Hesston Hardware Building (here, next to this marker); Chisholm Trail (approx. 5.2 miles away); Mennonite Settler (approx. 7.6 miles away); The Harvey County Courthouse (approx. 7.6 miles away); First Presbyterian Church (approx. 7.7 miles away); Ragsdale Opera House

Hesston Marker on right of picture image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, April 3, 2014

2. Hesston Marker on right of picture

(approx. 7.7 miles away); Anderson Book and Office Supply (approx. 7.7 miles away); The Masonic Lodge (approx. 7.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hesston.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, April 3, 2014

3. Hesston

Credits. This page was last revised on April 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 7, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,109 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 7, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.