Horton in Brown County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
"Four Horsemen of the Lines"
Photographed by Luke Lott, February 2, 2025
1. "Four Horsemen of the Lines" Marker
Unquestionably the most widely published photograph in rural electrification history captures high drama and momentum as the last miles of line are pulled only the day before energization for the Brown-Atchison Electric Cooperative Association, Inc. Horton, Kansas on March 31, 1938.
Crew members on the truck were local farmers hired by a Kansas City, Missouri contractor; wages earned by the farmer-linemen went to wire their farm homes.
Crew from left to right:
Lind Jacobson, Junior Adams, Elmer Krebs and Karl Jacobson, all destined to become legend as rural electrification's "Four Horsemen of the Lines".
Erected by Brown-Atchison Electric Cooperative Association, Inc.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Charity & Public Work. In addition, it is included in the Rural Electrification 💡 series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 31, 1938.
Location. 39° 40.262′ N, 95° 31.625′ W. Marker is in Horton, Kansas, in Brown County. It is at the intersection of Central Avenue (U.S. 73/159) and 17th Street, on the right when traveling north on Central Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1712 Central Avenue, Horton KS 66439, 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
this page online
Also see . . . Brown-Atchison Electric Cooperative Association, Inc. (Submitted on March 16, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 11, 2013
2. Former "Four Horsemen of the Lines" Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 11, 2013
3. "Four Horsemen of the Lines" Marker
December 31, 2024
4. "Four Horsemen of the Lines" Marker
The original marker that was on the rock had been weathered and developed a large hole in the center over the years. In 2024, local artist Luke Lott painted his version of the famous photo in place of the marker. The inscription was also done and placed as a new marker in front of the rock.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 16, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,336 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 7, 2025, by Luke Lott of Horton, Kansas. 2, 3. submitted on March 16, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 4. submitted on December 31, 2024.
