Olathe in Johnson County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Up In Smoke
Thanks to archaeological digs carried out in the early 1980s, we know that the Mahaffies' original smokehouse stood about 15 feet behind you, closer to the ice house.
Smokehouses, like ice houses, offered a way to preserve food. In the nineteenth century, salting and smoking were the best methods to keep meat from spoiling - thereby making it possible to store meat for long periods of time.
Butchering was done in the cold months of the year, to keep flies from laying eggs in the fresh meat and prevent spoiling. After they were submerged in a barrel of salt water, or dry-rubbed with salt, pepper, and other ingredients, the cuts of meat were hung in the rafters of the smokehouse over a low, smoky fire for several weeks. Properly prepared, the finished hams, sausage, and bacon could keep for a year or longer. The meat was cooked before it was eaten - the smoking process was for preservation only.
The site's smokehouse was built in recent years to replace the original smokehouse torn down long ago when it was no longer needed.
Erected by City of Olathe.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Anthropology & Archaeology • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 38° 53.535′ N, 94° 48.078′ W. Marker is in Olathe, Kansas, in Johnson County. Marker is about 90 feet NNW of the Mahaffie home at the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1200 Kansas City Road, Olathe KS 66061, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Pit Stop (a few steps from this marker); There's No Roost Like Home (a few steps from this marker); A Survivor (within shouting distance of this marker); Stagecoach Drivers (within shouting distance of this marker); Fast Food (within shouting distance of this marker); State Your Business... (within shouting distance of this marker); Not So Little A Farm On the Prairie... (within shouting distance of this marker); Home Sweet Home (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Olathe.
Also see . . .
1. Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm. (Submitted on August 17, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Mechanics and Functions of a Smokehouse. (Submitted on August 17, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 5, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 815 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 17, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on August 15, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.