Olathe in Johnson County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Trail Campground..To Farm..To Park
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 12, 2010
1. Trail Campground..To Farm..To Park Marker
In 1857, Newton Ainsworth claimed this land and allowed the trail travelers to continue camping here. A decade later, the railroads began to make their way west and the great overland trails became a part of history. The need for camping at Lone Elm ceased. Cattle and sheep replaced the wagons and oxen teams. The prairie grass sod became cultivated crop fields. Water wells were dug with picks and shovels. Through the years, this land would be farmed similar to other nearby farms. Lone Elm Park, dedicated in 2005, now exists on this famous quarter section. The vision for this park was set long ago when various individuals, including Ainsworth, were desirous of marking the trails and preserving their stories. Today, Lone Elm Park continues that vision. Once again, people can gather at Lone Elm.
"In May and June, 1857, I broke seventy acres of virgin Kansas soil on the Lone Elm Campground...on the fourth day of March, 1858, I unloaded the lumber to build a cabin. It was only 10x11 feet, with the ground for a floor, we lived in it for two years, and it was the first cabin erected in this part of the county."
- Newton Ainsworth
Excerpt from his speech when the DAR trail marker was placed at Lone Elm in 1906.
Erected by City of Olathe.
Topics and series. This historical
this page online
Location. 38° 49.346′ N, 94° 49.819′ W. Marker is in Olathe, Kansas, in Johnson County. It can be reached from West 167th Street. Marker is about 50 feet SE of the picnic shelter in Lone Elm Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 21151 West 167th Street, Olathe KS 66062, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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 Travelers (here, next to this marker); A Most Desirable Spot For Camping (here, next to this marker); Roads To The West (here, next to this marker); Lone Elm Park (a few steps from this marker); Trails West (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lone Elm Campground
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 12, 2010
2. Ainsworth Postcard on Trail To Park Marker
[Caption reads] Newton Ainsworth was proud to be the owner of the Lone Elm campground and promoted this fact. He arranged for this postcard to be printed and distributed to friends and family after the placement of the DAR marker in 1906. The marker can still be viewed on the southeast corner of Lone Elm and 167th Street today.
Also see . . .
1. Oregon-California Trails Association. (Submitted on August 13, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Santa Fe Trail Association. Association website (Submitted on August 13, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 12, 2010
3. County Map on Trail To Park Marker
[Caption reads] The 1874 Johnson County Atlas depicts the boundaries of Olathe and the location of the Ainsworth farm. A detailed drawing of the Ainsworth farm (bottom left) also appeared in the 1874 Atlas.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 12, 2010
4. Ainsworth Property on Trail To Park Marker
[Caption reads] This map and the Ainsworth Property illustration both appeared in the 1874 Johnson County Atlas. The view is looking to the South. The road pictured here is now 167th Street. [Illustration reads "Olathe Township, Johnson County, Kansas, Section 23, T.14, Range 23"]
via Olanthe Parks and Recreation, unknown
5. Lone Elm Park
Olanthe Parks and Recreation website entry
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 12, 2010
6. Trail Campground..To Farm..To Park Marker
At far right
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr.
7. Lone Elm Park Shelter and Markers
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr.
8. Lone Elm Park Street Light and Sign
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr.
9. Lone Elm Park Sign
On streetlight poles.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 12, 2010
10. Ed May Marker
and friend to our community.
He shared his time, energy
and love of the outdoors
with Olathe's youth.
Located near the shelter
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 12, 2010
11. Ed May Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,179 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 13, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 5. submitted on February 28, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 6. submitted on August 13, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 7, 8, 9. submitted on August 12, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 10, 11. submitted on August 13, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
