Concordia in Cloud County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Kansas Orphan Riders
For the children who helped shape The Sunflower State
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 22, 2022
1. Kansas Orphan Riders Marker
During the Orphan Train Movement, the state of Kansas received an estimated 12,000 children from East Coast orphanages. The Children's Aid Society placed out over 5,000 children, the New York Foundling Hospital sent an estimated 5,000 children and approximately 2,000 children were placed out by other organizations.
Many of these children grew up to become farmers and the wives of farmers. Others became teachers, businessmen and women, librarians and bankers. They would help develop their communities, Kansas and the nation. Their families carry on their legacy today and into the future.
Business Woman, Farm Wife, School Bus Driver
In Honor of Mom’s love of area youth
Sponsored by: Irene Brown, Family & Friends
Erected by National Orphan Train Complex; and Irene Brown, Family & Friends.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars.
Location. 39° 33.593′ N, 97° 40.014′ W. Marker is in Concordia, Kansas, in Cloud County. Marker is on Republican Street just south of West 17th Street
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. James Manny Hagaman (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); World Wars Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Davies-Crook American Legion Post 76 War Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Alberta Cole / Roberta Work Miller Slifer (approx. 0.4 miles away); Gertrude Vale / Sister Eva Marie Vale (approx. 0.4 miles away); Genevieve Hunt / Sister Roberta Dreiling (approx. 0.4 miles away); Cloud County War Memorial (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Concordia.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Orphan Train Movement
Also see . . .
1. The Orphan Trains.
The story of this ambitious and finally controversial effort to rescue poor and homeless children begins in the 1850s, when thousands of children roamed the streets of New York in search of money, food and shelter — prey to disease and crime. Many sold matches, rags, or newspapers to survive.(Submitted on December 22, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. The Children’s Aid Society (CAS)
2. Marker detail: Kansas Orphan Riders
The first organization to place children out by orphan train was founded in 1853 by Charles Loring Brace. He and a group of other minsters and businessmen founded the Children’s Aid Society with the specific aim of educating, housing, and finding permanent homes for orphaned, abandoned, or impoverished children. The society operated industrial schools, Sunday schools, farm schools, reading rooms, and lodging houses for boys and girls.(Submitted on December 22, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)In 1854, the CAS pioneered the orphan train system when they sent 46 children to Dowagiac, Michigan to find homes. The system was slowly refined and expanded and served as a blueprint for many other placing out organizations. The CAS also relocated families by train in their Family Emigration Program. Many of these families traveled with orphan train groups. In 1929, the CAS ended their placing out program.
3. The New York Foundling Hospital.
Founded in 1851 by a group of businessmen who were concerned about vagrant children, and formed the NYJA to house, educate, reform, and indenture children who were homeless, truant, or who had been arrested for petty crimes. They imagined the NYJA as a place for non-delinquent children who would otherwise be placed in(Submitted on December 22, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)Houses of Refuge with adult criminals. They also took in children who had been removed from their homes or surrendered by their guardians. While at the NYJA, children attended school for 6 hours a day, and were taught religious, academic, and trade subjects.Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 22, 20223. Kansas Orphan Riders SculptureBetween 1855 and 1857, they collaborated with Rev. Mr. Enoch Kingsbury, who requested large groups of children to be indentured in Illinois and parts of Indiana. After 1857, Rev. Kingsbury continued working for the NYJA as a County Agent. The NYJA reformed a loose partnership with the Children’s Aid Society in 1907, which lasted until approximately 1920. In total, the NYJA sent approximately 6,000 children out by orphan train. Most of these children were formally indentured.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 22, 2022
4. Kansas Orphan Riders Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 20, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 58 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 22, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
