Olathe in Johnson County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Rest for the Weary

Photographed By Thomas Onions, January 27, 2008

1. Rest for the Weary Marker

Closeup of main marker

Inscription. "These is a romance about the stage coach that will never die. Its jolly driver with his six-in-hand, the merry passenger with his jokes ans stories, and the stations along the road where we used to stretch our tired limbs will long linger like a pleasant dream."
-Colonel Jared Sanderson, pioneer stage owner, 1900

The mid-1800s farm house before you served as a place of reset and repast for weary travelers on the Santa Fe Trail. From 1865 until 1869, horses were changed and passengers were fed in this house - a stop for the Barlow and Sanderson Stage Line.

James Beatty Mahaffie and his wife Lucinda were successful Indiana farmers who arrived in Kansas with their three children in 1857. Their farmstead sat on three stagecoach routes, running from Kansas City to Santa Fe, New Mexico Territory. Horses and stagecoaches moved people and mail until replaced by railroads in the 1870s.

Erected by National Park Service and Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles

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• Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Santa Fe Trail series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. 38° 53.504′ N, 94° 48.075′ W. Marker is in Olathe, Kansas, in Johnson County. The marker is read as one approaches the building from the parking lot. The flagpole markers are on the south and west sides of the base holding the flagpole in front of the main building.

The Mahaffie Farmstead should be approached from the east on Kansas City Road from Ridgeview. Coming from the other way will cause one to have to back-track due to the divided road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1200 Kansas City Road, Olathe KS 66061, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Home Sweet Home (a few steps from this marker); Fast Food (within shouting distance of this marker); State Your Business... (within shouting distance of this marker); Stagecoach Drivers (within shouting distance of this marker); Workin' For a Living (within shouting distance of this marker); Not So Little A Farm On the Prairie...

National Register Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Thomas Onions, January 27, 2008

2. National Register Plaque

This property
Mahaffie House
and Farmstead
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior

(within shouting distance of this marker); Up In Smoke (within shouting distance of this marker); A Survivor (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Olathe.

More about this marker. On the left is an illustration by Jack Mahaffie showing a stage coach arriving at the house. On the lower right is a photo showing James Beatty Mahaffie and Lucinda Mahaffie lived on this property from 1858 until 1886.

Also see . . .
1. J.B. Mahaffie House National Register Nomination. This is a complete document that lists the details on the house and lists the history of the Mahaffies. (Submitted on June 20, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.)

2. Santa Fe National Historic Trails. This is the official National Park Service link on the Santa Fe Trail. (Submitted on June 20, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.)

Additional keywords. Santa Fe Trail

Second Plaque near Flag Pole image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Thomas Onions, January 27, 2008

3. Second Plaque near Flag Pole

Mahaffie Farmstead
Santa Fe Trail
Stagecoach Stop
1865 - 1869
Placed by the DAR Chapters of
Johnson and Wyandotte Counties
September 17, 1968

James Mahaffie Headstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Thomas Onions, August 15, 2009

4. James Mahaffie Headstone

James Beatty Mahaffie is buried in the Olathe Memorial Cemetery located at Woodland and Harold Streets.

Photographed By Thomas Onions, January 27, 2008

5. Entry Kiosk

The main marker can be seen to the right behind the lightpole. The flagpole and the farmstead are in the distance.

Photographed By Thomas Onions, January 27, 2008

6. Rest for the Weary Marker

Photo of the Farmstead and Flagpole

Credits. This page was last revised on November 19, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas. This page has been viewed 1,523 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 20, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas. 4. submitted on August 15, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas. 5, 6. submitted on June 20, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.