Pittsburg in Crawford County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
J.J. Richards
1878-1956
Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 22, 2026
1. J.J. Richards Marker
"Johnny" Richards was a main figure in 20th century band music. He is remembered today as the composer of numerous marches. During his years in Pittsburg, Richards taught music in public schools, conducting the Pittsburg Municipal Band and the Mirza Temple Shrine Band. He gained a national reputation as conductor of the Ringling Brothers Circus Band and later, the Long Beach Municipal Band.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment.
Location. 37° 25.071′ N, 94° 42.823′ W. Marker is in Pittsburg, Kansas, in Crawford County. It can be reached from Memorial Drive west of North Catalpa Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1100 N Miles Ave, Pittsburg KS 66762, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Kansas and specifically in Bleeding Kansas Border War Country. 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
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lincoln Park Tourist Camp (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Paul B. Leffler Rotary Park (approx. half a mile away); The Freedom Tree (approx. half a mile away); All American Veterans (approx. half a mile away); The Weir - Pittsburg Coalfield (approx. 0.7 miles away); Southeast Kansas Coal Mining (approx. 0.7 miles away); Frontenac, Kansas (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Weir-Pittsburg Coal Field in Cherokee County (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pittsburg.
Also see . . . Joseph John Richards on Wikipedia. (Submitted on October 22, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 22, 2026
2. J.J. Richards Marker
Marker is mounted on the bandshell (left side)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 22, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
