A third time capsule has been added to the Johnson County Square near Santa Fe Street and Kansas Avenue in Olathe to celebrate the founding of Johnson County Government 167 years ago.

Located in the square’s History Plaza, the new time capsule, set to be opened in 50 years, was ceremonially dedicated on Sept. 5. Featured speakers were Mike Kelly, chairman of the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners, and County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson.

The new time capsule features a snapshot of Johnson County Government during the years 2021-2024, which included the completion of a new courthouse, demolition of an old courthouse and redevelopment of the Johnson County Square.

A sample of items within the Johnson County Government time capsule range from letters from county and city leaders, county documents and reports, photos, maps, COVID-19 items and information from Juneteenth and Veterans Day events. The time capsule will be enclosed in its vault at the History Plaza following the Old Settlers celebration.

Opening of the Johnson County Government Time Capsule will take place in 2074.

Following the time capsule dedication, the official kickoff of the 2024 Old Settlers celebration was celebrated on the stage at the Johnson County Square that was platted in the heart of Olathe when the city was founded in 1857.

Located at the southwest corner of the square near the Children of the Trails Fountain, the History Plaza features:

• Cornerstones of the 1891 and 1951 Johnson County Courthouses.
• Signs with a condensed timespan about Johnson County history, Johnson County Square and Johnson County’s four courthouses.
• A monument naming Old Settlers Association presidents from 1898 to present.
• The Santa Fe Trail Monument erected in 1907 by Johnson County and the Old Settlers Association.
• Rock benches with metal signage listing the years when Johnson County cities were incorporated.

The plaza also includes the Johnson County Bicentennial Capsule, encapsulated in 1976, for opening in 2076 in celebration of the nation’s tricentennial.

Nearby is the Old Settlers Time Capsule dedicated in 1998 to mark the organization’s 100th anniversary. It is scheduled to be opened in 2057 as part of Olathe’s bicentennial celebration.

The History Plaza also features signs with brief histories of the time capsules.