Olathe Memorial Cemetery and First Burial - Olathe, Ks. - Kansas Historical Markers on Waymarking.com

(picture of Elvira Beckwith Burial Site )

Olathe Memorial Cemetery and First Burial
Olathe Memorial Cemetery was founded in 1865, when resident Watts Beckwith laid his sister to rest on ten acres of his farm land. He had already offered the land for sale to the community to serve as a burial ground.

When the founding fathers laid out the original city in 1858, no provision was made for a cemetery. In the first years of settlement, burials took place in the "Church Square." The location was never used for church purposes, probably brcause it was so far from the center of town. An editorial appeared in the Olathe Mirror on January 9, 1864, pointing out that the Church Square was far too small for a burial ground and that civic leaders must establish a new and larger cemetery. Watts Beckwith soon joined the Olathe Mirror editor in urging the city to purchase a more suitable tract of land. Beckwith owned a quarter-section on the north side of town and offered ten acres to the city. No action was taken on the proposal.

In 1865, Beckwith announced that with or without support from the City, he was setting aside ten acres for cemetery purposes. On April 30, 1865, Beckwith interred his sister, Elvira, in his newly established cemetery. More burials soon followed as Watts sold plots. Within a few years, the railroad reached Olathe and cut through the Church Square. Burials were removed from downtown and re-interred in the new cemetery, accounting for some stones with dates earlier than 1865. Finally, in 1879, the city purchased the Beckwith tract. Eventually additional acreage was added.

No trace of the original Church Square plot remains in downtown Olathe.

(picture of Elvira Beckwith headstone)

Freedom's Frontier Heritage Area

This interpretive kiosk is made possible through funding from the
Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area and the Francis H. Robertson Trust Foundation.

OLATHE Kansas