On Metcalf Avenue south of 87th Street, on the right when traveling south.
The heritage of Johnson County, Kansas extends back to the native peoples who occupied this land prior to European exploration and settlement. In the 1700s, French explorers, trappers and traders engaged with the Kansa and Osage natives of this . . . — — Map (db m226610) HM
Like the majority of Johnson County's
landscape, the land around you at
Meadowbrook Park has undergone
numerous changes over time.
Residents' needs and preferences in
different eras shaped how the land
was used and who used it. In . . . — — Map (db m286644) HM
Meadowbrook Park is the embodiment of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District's mission of
"Enhancing the quality of life in Johnson County by providing high-quality parks, services, and recreation programs." The park is dedicated to . . . — — Map (db m286705) HM
On Kansas Avenue north of Park Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
Beneath this stone is buried a capsule containing papers and items used in celebrating the American Revolution Bicentennial in Johnson County, Kansas. Placed on this Thanksgiving Eve November 24, 1976 A.D. by the Johnson County Bicentennial . . . — — Map (db m69376) HM
A pioneer and leader in the development of the Johnson County area, Merriam has recorded several "firsts."
Prior to the incorporation of Overland Park in 1950, Merriam was home to the county's first high school, then known as Shawnee Mission . . . — — Map (db m50603) HM
In 1857, Newton Ainsworth claimed this land and allowed the trail travelers to continue camping here. A decade later, the railroads began to make their way west and the great overland trails became a part of history. The need for camping at Lone . . . — — Map (db m34357) HM
On East Poplar Street at North Kansas City Road, on the right when traveling west on East Poplar Street.
Founded in 1857, Olathe was strategically located on the Santa Fe Trail. In the era of horsepower, the new town was a day's journey from Independence, Missouri. As time passed, Olathe's population and commerce grew, and a faster connection with . . . — — Map (db m20270) HM
On Shawnee Mission Parkway near Melrose Lane, on the right when traveling east.
The Santa Fe Trail went through two decades of change in the Kansas City area before evolving into it's final form by about 1840. In the early years of that decade it also became the route of the Oregon Trail and California Trail.
1821 - . . . — — Map (db m50679) HM
Near South Harrison Street at East Old 56 Highway (Kansas Route 7).
Plaque on ground:
This monument honors, recognizes and serves Gold Star Families and the legacy of their Loved Ones who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
The Homeland . . . — — Map (db m312560) WM
The Bear Pit Bronze sculpture by artist Kwan Wu. Dedicated and installed 2006.
This sculpture by artist Kwan Wu represents the City of Merriam's first public sculpture installation. The mother bear and cubs celebrate one of the most popular . . . — — Map (db m46906) HM
On West 79th Street at Santa Fe Drive, on the right when traveling west on West 79th Street.
Constructed in 1906, this building served
the Missouri-Kansas Interurban Railway as a
power plant and a repair station. Founded
by William B. Strang, the railway transported
passengers between downtown Kansas City,
Missouri and Olathe, Kansas, . . . — — Map (db m251949) HM
On Santa Fe Street 0.1 miles west of Kansas Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
"I am glad to get into Kansas again..."
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt ("FDR") told the audience in Syracuse, Kansas in 1936. The president was returning to Washington, D.C. after a campaign trip by train to Colorado. When he reached Olathe . . . — — Map (db m21671) HM
With the opening of the Kansas Territory in 1854, people from everywhere began to converge on Kansas. The fertile and inexpensive land available in the territory attracted David Gee Campbell, a Tennessee native. Campbell loaded his wife and their . . . — — Map (db m46857) HM
Historic Frontier Trails cut through the territory now known as Merriam. Hundreds of thousands of people emigrated [sic – immigrated] to the western frontiers along the Oregon and California Trails. The Santa Fe, Oregon and California Trails . . . — — Map (db m46856) HM
From the late 1600’s until the early 1800’s, the Kansa (or Kaw) Indians lived in northeast Kansas. The Indian word Kansa means “People of the South Wind,” and both the state of Kansas and the Kansas River take their name from this . . . — — Map (db m46854) HM
On 80th Street at Santa Fe Drive, on the right when traveling west on 80th Street.
The Trip Ahead
The Santa Fe, Oregon, and California trails proved to be both challenging and exhilarating for the travelers in the caravans passing near here. Letters and diaries are filled with the adventures, excitement, and hardships . . . — — Map (db m99328) HM
On East Red Bridge Road east of East 110th Street, on the right when traveling east.
Why Did The Historic Trails Go Where They Went?
When Mexico won its independence from Spain in 1821, trade with the United States soon followed. William Becknell and five companions from the Franklin, Missouri area were the first to use . . . — — Map (db m199377) HM
On Main Street at 3rd Street, on the right when traveling south on Main Street.
This is the oldest surviving courthouse designed by George P Washburn of Ottawa. Before coming to town, Washburn had worked for the Kansas City architectural firm of Cross and Taylor where he supervised construction of Union railroad depots . . . — — Map (db m67586) HM
The heyday of the trails had come and gone by the time William B. Strang Jr. platted out a residential development in this area in 1905. To promote his real estate plans and bring people out from Kansas City, he developed a trolley car railroad, . . . — — Map (db m100267) HM
On Pennsylvania Avenue at Westport Road, on the right when traveling north on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Price's Raid
Confederate General Sterling Price brought three mounted divisions from Arkansas into Missouri, September 19, 1864. Fighting several small battles he marched slowly north toward St. Louis, then struck westward to Jefferson City. . . . — — Map (db m20868) HM
On Kessler Lane near West 57th Street, on the left when traveling north.
The original limestone building, was built in 1911. The two brick additions were added in 1938 and 1951. Merriam School housed elementary and high school students until 1922, when the high school students began attending Shawnee Mission Rural High . . . — — Map (db m46863) HM
On Shawnee Mission Parkway near Melrose Lane, on the right when traveling east.
Richard Williams was born in Tennessee in 1830, son of Judge Arthur Williams. As a young man, Richard came to Johnson County in the 1850s, employed as a surveyor by the U.S. government. During the 1850s and early 1860s, Dick Williams was a . . . — — Map (db m50691) HM
On Shawnee Mission Parkway near Melrose Lane, on the right when traveling east.
Westport
Westport, along with Independence, was a major outfitting point for the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California Trails. Founded in 1834 by John C. McCoy and platted around the trading post he built the previous year, Westport's early . . . — — Map (db m50723) HM
On West Main Street (U.S. 64) at South Fulton Street, on the right when traveling east on West Main Street.
Clarksville in the Civil War
Clarksville was a key point in the defense of the Arkansas River Valley during the Civil War. Confederate troops occupied the town several times before Union forces took Little Rock and Ft. Smith, gaining . . . — — Map (db m96447) HM
On North Main Street (Business U.S. 65) at West Rush Avenue, on the right when traveling south on North Main Street.
Modern historical research has yielded information which was not readily available to those who designed the 1955 monument. Here is presented updated information and a modified more accurate map of the emigrants' route. Dedicated . . . — — Map (db m225248) HM
Today, Merriam is a vibrant community boasting a mix of commercial, industrial, and residential districts. Merriam residents enjoy established neighborhoods, diverse cultures, a full range of municipal services, plentiful parks, and strong . . . — — Map (db m50608) HM
From 1837 to 1869 the Quaker Mission educated the children from area Indian settlements. The early settlers of Campbellton sent their children to the Hickory Grove School, which was located near present day Shawnee Mission North High School.
As . . . — — Map (db m50579) HM
The community of South Park, Kansas was founded in 1887 as an integrated community. By 1900, four black families had settled in the town of 250 residents. South Park continued to grow and became a part of Merriam when it incorporated in 1950.
In . . . — — Map (db m50583) HM
On 80th Street at Santa Fe Drive, on the right when traveling west on 80th Street.
Imagine seeing Santa Fe Trail wagon trains coursing through Overland Park! Around you swirls the sights and sounds of wagons creaking, oxen braying, and wagon masters shouting commands. You are standing between two historic branches of the Santa . . . — — Map (db m99307) HM
Thin black lines indicate changes in relevance. Between each pair of lines entries are ordered geographically but all have the same relevance.
* Inflectional forms of words are their plurals, singulars, and possessives as well as gramatical tenses and similar variations.
