Iola in Allen County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Boyhood Home of General Funston

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 20, 2011

1. Boyhood Home of General Funston Marker

Inscription. Frederick Funston, five feet four and slightly built, went from this farm to a life of amazing adventure. Youthful exploring expeditions in this country were followed by two years in the Arctic from which he returned down the Yukon river 1,500 miles by canoe. After ventures in Latin America, he served 18 months with Cuban Insurgents, fighting in 22 engagements and reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel. Invalided home shortly before the Spanish-American War, Funston was made colonel of the 20th Kansas infantry. In 1901 he planned and executed the capture of Aguinaldo, commander of the Filipino army. He receivied a Congressional Medal of Honor and at 35 was made a brigadier general in the regular army. In 1914, during intervention in Mexico, he commanded Vera Cruz as military governor and was that year made a major general. He died in 1917. This was the home of his father, Edward H. Funston, a member of Congress, 1884-1894.

Erected by Kansas Historical Society & State Highway Commission. (Marker Number 53.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • War, Spanish-American. In addition, it is included in the Kansas Historical Society, and the Medal of Honor Recipients series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1901.

Location.

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37° 55.317′ N, 95° 24.344′ W. Marker is in Iola, Kansas, in Allen County. It is on Washington Street near Madison Avenue (U.S. 54), on the left when traveling north. Marker and house are west opposite the county courthouse grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14 South Washington Street, Iola KS 66749, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Kansas. 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 walking distance of this marker: South Washington Street Businesses (here, next to this marker); Fred Horton (here, next to this marker); Views of Madison Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); Major General Frederick Funston (within shouting distance of this marker); Founders of the Iola Public Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Northrup Bank and North Washington Street Businesses (within shouting distance of this marker); Nimrod Hankins (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Intersection of Madison and Washington (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Iola.

Also see . . .
1. Frederick Funston. (Submitted on March 7, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Frederick Funston Papers at Kansas Historical Society. (Submitted on March 7, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Boyhood Home of General Funston and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 20, 2011

2. Boyhood Home of General Funston and Marker

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, October 4, 2014

3. Boyhood Home of General Funston Marker

Boyhood Home of General Funston image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 20, 2011

4. Boyhood Home of General Funston

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 20, 2011

5. Boyhood Home of General Funston

General Frederick Funston Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 20, 2011

6. General Frederick Funston Statue

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 23, 2023

7. Boyhood Home of General Funston

The historic home and statue of General Frederick Funston.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 7, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,541 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 7, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 3. submitted on November 10, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 7, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 7. submitted on March 25, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.