Explore local history at the newly completed History Plaza
The History Plaza at the Johnson County Square has been completed with informational signage on local history and relocation of some relics from Johnson County’s past.
A public and historical landmark, the square was platted in the heart of Olathe when the city was created in 1857.
Located at the southwest corner of the square near the Children of the Trails Fountain, the History Plaza features the cornerstones and brief histories of the 1891 and 1951 Johnson County Courthouses. A sign with a condensed timespan about Johnson County history has also been posted.
Two existing time capsules were relocated from within the square to the History Plaza.
The Johnson County Bicentennial Time Capsule, dedicated in 1976 in celebration of the national bicentennial, will be opened in 52 years as part of the nation’s tricentennial.
A large rock, capping the original time capsule, was removed. The rock had developed significant cracks and would not remain intact if moved.
Opening of the Johnson County Old Settlers time capsule, commemorating the organization’s 100th anniversary in 1998, will take place in 33 years with the celebration of Olathe’s bicentennial in 2057. The History Plaza includes an empty vault with capstone in place adjacent to the bicentennial time capsule site. It will be used for a new time capsule with future updates to be announced when details are finalized.
Other plaza features include:
- A sign 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 northwest corner of the Johnson County Square features a sign recognizing George Washington Carver, famed Black scientist. As a teenager, Carver attended a small Black school in 1879 near the Johnson County Square where he played marbles and studied nature. Large marbles in the square commemorate his playtime activity while in Olathe before he left the following year.
George Washington Carver completed high school in Minneapolis, Kansas in 1884 and moved from Kansas six years later to advance his education and fame at colleges in Iowa and Alabama.
The rest is history.