What's In a Name?
Founding Fathers
Judge David Martin
Arrived and owned a farm in the area where Edgerton exists today. For this reason, Edgerton was originally called Martinsburg. But residents renamed it Edgerton in 1871, in honor of the railroad's chief engineer of the same name.
William Strang
Considered by many to be the father of Overland Park. He wanted to build a community of flood free farms and connect them to downtown Kansas City by railway, called the Strang Line. Historic Sites Committee, Overland Park Historical Society. (1997). Historic sites of Overland Park. Overland Park: Overland Park Historical Society.
Oscar G. Lee
Principal landowner of the area to become Leawood. He owned land from 79th to 103rd and from State Line to Belinder Road. (Fall/Winder 1995) Johnson County Guide, p.131.
John T. Barton
Physician to the Shawnee Indians in Cillicothe, KS and founder of Olathe. He called it Olathe, Shawnee word for beautiful. He later settled in Kansas City, Missouri and became involved in real estate. Enright, R.J. (1988). Olathe: Facts, photos, letters and legends. Olathe, Kansas: RE Productions.
Captain Joseph Parks
Was one of the earliest settlers in the area of Westwood. He was the chief of the Hog Creek band of Shawnee Indians.
David Gee Campbell
Came from Tennessee to settle in the area of Shawnee and Merriam. He built his home here and established the early town. The citizens named the town Campbelltown, which was later renamed Merriam. Bailes, Kendall. (1956). From hunting ground to suburb: A history of Merriam, Kansas. Merriam, Kansas: Mission Press.
Squire C.A. Bradshaw Sr.
Purchased 160 acres between 95th and Pfflumm and 91st and Bradshaw which would become Lenexa proper. The Frisco railroad bisected his property and so they named the area “Lenexa” after the Indian, Lenagsee, meaning to combine. Lenexa Jaycees. (circa 1969). Lenexa, Kansas, centennial: frontier days. Lenexa, Kansas: Jaycees.
