Trails West - Olathe, Ks. - Smithsonian Art Inventory Sculptures on Waymarking.com

A pair of bronze plaques are attached to a limestone base.

The text of the signage:

(Rotary Seal) (Olathe City Seal)
Trails West by Eldon Tefft

The oxen and Conestoga wagon sculpture was originally commissioned in 1994 for use at the Kansas Visitors Center at 119th & Strang Line Road. When the Center closed in 2002 the sculpture was awarded to the City of Olathe. The sculpture has been restored and erected at Lone Elm Park. This site served as a campground and rendezvous point for travelers along the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California Trails for several decades beginning in 1821.

The sculpture was restored and erected through the combined efforts of the Olathe Rotary Club, the City of Olathe, Kansas, and Barnhart Specialty Contracting. We dedicate it to the citizens of Olathe in honor of Rotary's Centennial of Service to Humanity.

Dedicated May 2, 2009

Second plaque text:

MAX L. DAMETZ

Max L. Dametz was one person that made the Trails West sculpture at Lone Elm Park a reality. Over the past 150 years of Johnson County history, many have done as much and may never be recognized. Max is an outstanding flag bearer for all of them.

From SIRIS:
(visit link)

"SCULPTOR:
Tefft, Elden 1919-

ASSISTANT:
Hope, Nancy
Samsel, Mark
Tefft, Kim
Barnhart, Ron

MEDIUM:
Fiber reinforced gypsum plaster with cold-bronze powder fill

TYPE:
Sculptures-Outdoor Sculpture
Sculptures-Relief
Sculptures

OWNER/LOCATION:
Unlocated

DATE:
1995-1996. Dedicated Jan. 6, 1996

TOPIC:
Animal--Cattle
Architecture--Vehicle--Wagon
History--United States--Westward Expansion

CONTROL NUMBER:
IAS KS000649

NOTES:
Save Outdoor Sculpture, Kansas survey, 1996
Kansas City Adopt A Monument, 2003

SUMMARY:
Colossal bronze-colored relief mounted on the side of a building. The relief depicts two team of two oxen each, pulling a covered wagon

DATA SOURCE:
Art Inventories Catalog, Smithsonian American Art Museums"

TITLE: Trails West ARTIST(S): Tefft, Elden DATE: 1995-1996. Dedicated Jan. 6, 1996 MEDIUM: Fiber reinforced gypsum plaster with cold-bronze powder fill CONTROL NUMBER: IAS KS000649 Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link] PHYSICAL LOCATION: The single piece of the exterior wall that the sculpture was attached to has been moved to a small rise within the Lone Elm Park - 175th Street and Lone Elm in Olathe, Kansas. The sculpture can be seen halfway between the entrance and the shelter house. DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH: Sculpture has been moved from the Kansas Visitor's Center (no longer in existance, torn down for restaurant space) at I-35 and 119th to this location at Lone Elm Park. Only sufficient exterior wall of the former Visitors Center was salvaged to keep the sculpture intact. The sculpture is in good shape.

Visit Instructions:
Please give the date of your visit, your impressions of the sculpture, and at least ONE ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH. Add any additional information you may have, particularly any personal observations about the condition of the sculpture.

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Date Logged Log   11/28/2014 wardnkathy visited it