Walton in Harvey County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Turkey Red Wheat
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2011
1. Turkey Red Wheat Marker
Children in Russia hand-picked the first seeds of this famous winter wheat for Kansas. They belonged to Mennonite Colonies preparing to emigrate from the steppes to the America prairies. A peace-loving sect, originally from Holland, the Mennonites had gone to the Crimea from Prussia in 1790 when Catherine the Great offered free lands, military exemption and religious freedom. They prospered until these privileges were threatened in 1871. Three years later they emigrated to Kansas, where the Santa Fe R.R. offered thousands of acres on good terms in McPherson, Harvey, Marion & Reno counties, and where the legislature passed a bill which exempted religious objectors from military service. Within a month after landing in New York the Mennonites planted the red~gold grains their children had selected. The harvest was the first of the great crops of hard Turkey Red and its derivatives that have made Kansas the Granary of the Nation.
Erected by Kansas Historical Society and State Highway Commission. (Marker Number 61.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Kansas Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1790.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Chisholm Trail (approx. 5.9 miles away); Coastal Defense Cannon (approx. 7.1 miles away); Santa Fe Steam Locomotive #1880 (approx. 7.1 miles away); The Harvey County Courthouse (approx. 7.1 miles away); Unknown Dead of the Civil War (approx. 7.1 miles away); First Presbyterian Church (approx. 7.1 miles away); The Masonic Lodge (approx. 7.2 miles away); John Jacob Krehbiel Memorial Park (approx. 7.2 miles away).
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Turkey Red Wheat Palace. Mennonite Heritage and Agricultural Museum website entry (Submitted on January 2, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. The Culture of Wheat in Kansas. Kansas Historical Society website entry (Submitted on February 28, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2011
2. Turkey Red Wheat Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2011
3. Turkey Red Wheat Marker
Looking southwest along US Hwy 50
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2011
4. Sunflower on Turkey Red Wheat Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,388 times since then and 110 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 28, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
