Sunrise Retirement in Lenexa in Johnson County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Wait Station: Connecting Suburbs
Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 21, 2026
1. Wait Station: Connecting Suburbs Marker
The wait station was located on the John Wiedenmann farm in the Morrison Ridge area (present day 53rd and Lamar Avenue in Overland Park, KS). The wait station was part of the Strang Line Interurban Railway. The station was moved to the Piercy farm in Shawnee and used for storage after the Strang Line ended service in 1940. The Piercy family donated it to the Lenexa Historical Society (LHS) in 1994. The City and LHS moved the structure to Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park and renovated it.
William Strang founded the City of Overland Park in 1905. He had many ideas about what life could be like in the countryside. His ideas had a lasting impact on the landscape. The Strang Line was just one of many passenger rail routes that connected smaller towns to Kansas City in the early 1900s. Many people took the trolley to get to work. Students also took the trolley to nearby cities because Lenexa did not have a high school. The trolley made travel easy so people could spread out. This was called suburbanization.
The passenger lines began to shut down as people purchased more automobiles and roadways expanded. The Strang Line ended service
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Aside:
Poem By Edwin A. Legler 1940
The boys were lounging on the porch
in listless indolence
Just watching countless autos speed
along the highway hence
When Joe came whistling down the street,
nonchalant as you please
His coming like a stimulating,
gentle summer breeze.
The boys perked up with one accord
As Joe sought out the box,
To squat in comfort in their midst
While rolling down his socks.
"I hear," said he, "the old Strang Line
is giving up the fight,
And that's the last car o'er the road
is coming in tonight."
Erected by Lenexa Historical Museum and Lenexa Parks & Recreation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1940.
Location. 38° 58.216′ N, 94° 45.569′ W. Marker is in Lenexa, Kansas, in Johnson County. It is in Sunrise Retirement. It can be reached from West 87th Street Parkway east of Lackman Road. Marker is located at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14907 W 87th St Pkwy, Lenexa KS 66215, United States
Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 21, 2026
2. Wait Station: Connecting Suburbs Marker
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Kansas and specifically in Greater Kansas City. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, on the Southern Plains, and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor. 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 walking distance of this marker: The Burlington Northern Caboose: Control Center & Home (here, next to this marker); Lenexa Railroad Depot: Spurs Growth (a few steps from this marker); Depot Operations & Layout (a few steps from this marker); Legler Barn: A Lasting Legacy (within shouting distance of this marker); Gardens: A Way to Survive (within shouting distance of this marker); Bandstands: Bringing the Community Together (within shouting distance of this marker); The Rose Family (approx. ¼ mile away); Lenexa Rolling Magic Skate Park (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lenexa.
Also see . . . Lenexa Historical Society. (Submitted on September 28, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 28, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 28, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
