Near Harper in Harper County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Old Runnymede
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 25, 2012
1. Old Runnymede Marker
Inscription.
Old Runnymede. . Two miles northeast of here, in 1890, stood a typical English village. Curving driveways led to English-style houses set among rows of clipped hedges. Nearby were polo grounds, a steeplechase course, a race track, tennis courts, and a football field. Red-coated hunters rode to hounds across the buffalo grass prairie. Farms and orchards were modeled after English estates and on the townsite a three-story hotel and other businesses were established. The promoter of all this British activity was an Irishman who persuaded wealthy families to send sons to the colony to learn American farming methods. In practice, Runnymede strongly resembled a modern dude ranch. Although at one time, a hundred young Englishmen lived in the settlement, a number of whom owned estates, it was a failure as a colony. When hard times came old Runnymede collapsed and most of its remittance men returned to England. Today wheat fields cover the townsite.
Two miles northeast of here, in 1890, stood a typical English village. Curving driveways led to English-style houses set among rows of clipped hedges. Nearby were polo grounds, a steeplechase course, a race track, tennis courts, and a football field. Red-coated hunters rode to hounds across the buffalo grass prairie. Farms and orchards were modeled after English estates and on the townsite a three-story hotel and other businesses were established. The promoter of all this British activity was an Irishman who persuaded wealthy families to send sons to the colony to learn American farming methods. In practice, Runnymede strongly resembled a modern dude ranch. Although at one time, a hundred young Englishmen lived in the settlement, a number of whom owned estates, it was a failure as a colony. When hard times came old Runnymede collapsed and most of its remittance men returned to England. Today wheat fields cover the townsite.
Erected by Kansas Historical Society and State Highway Commission. (Marker Number 66.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Kansas Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.
Location. 37° 21.38′ N, 97°
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55.881′ W. Marker is near Harper, Kansas, in Harper County. Marker is at the intersection of State Highway 2 and NE 140th Road, on the right when traveling north on State Highway 2. Marker is at a roadside pullout near NE 60th Road, about six miles northeast of Harper. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Harper KS 67058, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . The Runnymede Hotel in Kansas. (Submitted on January 19, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 25, 2012
2. Old Runnymede Marker
Looking southwest, with intersection of Kansas Route 2 and NE 140th Road at right distance
Credits. This page was last revised on September 3, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 791 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on January 19, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.