Downs in Osborne County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Founding of Downs, Kansas

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 27, 2011

1. The Founding of Downs, Kansas Marker

Inscription. In 1879 the Central Branch of the Union Pacific Railroad designated a site on the homesteads of John Beal, Harriet Delay, and Azariah and Marinda Blunt as their new division point. The town of Downs was named for railroad superintendent Major William F. Downs. Morgan Avenue the town's main north-south thoroughfare, was named after Major Downs' mother. Beale, Blunt, and Delay Streets honor the original landowners. Downs was incorporated as a third-class city on December 17, 1879.

Erected 1999 by The Downs Historical Society and the Bates-Dille Fund.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1923.

Location. 39° 30.155′ N, 98° 32.61′ W. Marker is in Downs, Kansas, in Osborne County. It is on Railroad Avenue near Morgan Avenue (Kansas Highway 181), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Downs KS 67437, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Kansas’ Smoky Hills.

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 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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Missouri Pacific Railroad Depot (a few steps from this marker); Memorial Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Carnegie Library (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sod and Stubble (approx.

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half a mile away); Pioneers, O Pioneers (approx. 0.7 miles away); Civil War Unknown Dead (approx. 0.7 miles away); World's Largest Ball of Sisal Twine (approx. 5.9 miles away); Homestead of J. Gledhill (approx. 5.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Downs.

Also see . . .
1. Downs, Kansas. City website homepage (Submitted on August 29, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

2. The Strong History of Downs, Kansas. Kansas Story Telling Festival website entry (Submitted on August 29, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 27, 2011

2. The Founding of Downs, Kansas Marker

Marker is near the NW corner of the depot

Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 29, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,221 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 29, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.