Newton in Harvey County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Bernhard Warkentin
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2011
1. Bernhard Warkentin Marker
This Victorian house was built for Bernhard and Wilhelmina Warkentin in 1886-87. Bernhard was born in 1847 in the Mennonite village of Altonau, Ukraine. His father was a prominent miller. In 1872 he came to the U.S. to find new land. His letters home made him a leader of the Mennonite migration from Russia; about 5000 Mennonites came to Kansas. In 1875 he married Wilhelmina Eisenmayer, from a German Methodist family in Illinois. Her father was also a miller. In Kansas, Warkentin operated several mills and promoted wheat growing, especially "Turkey Red" hard winter wheat. His work helped make Kansas the "Bread Basket of the World." He died by accidental gunshot on a trip in the Holy Land in 1908. Wilhelmina lived here until her death in 1932. The house is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Erected 1998 by the Warkentin House Association and the Harvey County Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Churches & Religion • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Kansas, Harvey County Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.
Location. 38° 2.561′ N, 97° 20.602′ W.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Newton Carnegie Library (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1871 Water Well Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Railroad Savings and Loan Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); Midland National Bank (approx. 0.4 miles away); John Jacob Krehbiel Memorial Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Masonic Lodge (approx. half a mile away); Anderson Book and Office Supply (approx. half a mile away); Ragsdale Opera House (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newton.
Also see . . .
1. Bernhard Warkentin, Newton, Halstead. Kansas Sampler Foundation: 8 Wonders of Kansas People entry (Submitted on June 27, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Warkentin House National Register Nomination Form. Kansas Historical Society website entry (Submitted on June 27, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Downtown Historic Walking Tour of Newton. Issuu website entry (Submitted on June 29, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2011
2. Bernhard Warkentin House and Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2011
3. Bernhard Warkentin House Porch Detail
Photographed By Unknown, undated
4. Bernhard Warkentin Photo on Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2011
5. Bernhard Warkentin House
Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 520 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 27, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
