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

Children of the Trails

Artist: Kwan Wu

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 1, 2013

1. Children of the Trails Marker

Inscription. Perhaps the greatest test of the pioneers' spirit was the loss of children like Asa Smith to the harsh and unforgiving elements of the frontier. His tiny marker stands today at the intersection of K-19 and K-7 Highways. It is joined by this sculpture created in loving memory of every child lost along the trails as families faced the unknown, blazing our nation's westward growth.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Asian Americans • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 38° 52.921′ N, 94° 49.204′ W. Marker is in Olathe, Kansas, in Johnson County. Marker is at the intersection of Kansas Avenue and Park Street, on the right when traveling north on Kansas Avenue. Marker is on the grounds of the Johnson County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 111 South Cherry Street, Olathe KS 66061, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Santa Fe Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Bicentennial Time Capsule (within shouting distance of this marker); Home For Christmas (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); R.R. Osborne Plaza (about 700 feet away); President Franklin Delano Roosevelt Makes a Whistle-stop in Olathe

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Olathe World War Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away); Olathe Civil War Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away); Elvira Beckwith (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Olathe.

Also see . . .
1. Asa C. Smith at Find-A-Grave. (Submitted on October 15, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. "Childhood Death: The Healthcare of Children on the Kansas Frontier," in Kansas History. .pdf file that takes time to load. Be patient. (Submitted on October 15, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Children of the Trails Sculpture and Fountain image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 1, 2013

2. Children of the Trails Sculpture and Fountain

Children of the Trails Sculpture Detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 1, 2013

3. Children of the Trails Sculpture Detail

Credits. This page was last revised on September 3, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 532 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 15, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.