"Olathe, Kansas" Olathe by basstbn

Olathe Travel Guide: 27 reviews and 53 photos

Johnson County courthouse & Santa Fe Trail Marker - Olathe
Johnson County courthouse & Santa Fe Trail Marker
Modern boom town - Olathe

It's pronounced o-LAY-tha and is derived from a Shawnee Indian word meaning "beautiful." It was founded in 1857 on prairie land covered with wildflowers - especially verbena.

Olathe was an important town in the history of northeast Kansas. Three westward trails converged here - the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California. William Quantrill and his Missouri ruffians raided the small town, and the cowboy boot was designed and manufactured here by the Hyer family. And it was the hometown of film star Buddy Rogers.

In recent years, Olathe has become the fastest growing town in the Kansas City area, with an increase of approximately 4,500 people per year. Only a few years ago the city had one high school, now there are four.

We spend a lot of time in Olathe, shopping and dining (It's quite close to our Overland Park home). Our oldest daughter and her husband live there, as well.

The traffic is maddening.

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Lots of great shopping and dining.
  • Cons:Traffic is awful. Hate it. Get Angry.
  • In a nutshell:Love it. Hate it.
  • Last visit to Olathe: Apr 2003
  • Intro Updated Aug 16, 2003
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Reviews (10)

Johnson County Old Settlers Reunion - Olathe Johnson County Old Settlers Reunion Local Customs (1)

The Old Settlers Reunion has been a custom since 1898, but of course the "old settlers" have been dead and buried for... more travel advice

City Hall - Olathe City Hall Things to Do (6)

Olathe's City Hall is worthy of mention because of its attractive design, and even more because of its surrounding art... more travel advice

Prairie and woodlands - Olathe Prairie Center Things to Do (6)

There is very little left of America's native tall grass prairie. This 300 acre park, located just west of Olathe,... more travel advice

Children of the Trails Sculpture - Olathe Children of the Trails Sculpture Things to Do (6)

The plaque near this whimsical yet touching sculpture reads: CHILDREN OF THE TRAILS Artist: Kwan Wu Perhaps the... more travel advice

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