Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Olathe (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Mahaffie House, Museum of Deaf History, and Chestnut Fine Arts Center. Also, be sure to include Kansas City Automotive Museum in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Olathe (Kansas).
Table of Contents
Mahaffie House
Museum. The Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm Historic Site, locally known as the Mahaffie farmstead, is located in Olathe, Kansas. The house was originally a stop along the Westport Route of the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California Trails, which originated in nearby Westport, Missouri. The house's heyday came with large numbers of westbound travelers of the 1860s.
The house has now been converted into a museum and gift shop. It is situated on almost 40 acres (160,000 m2) of land. It frequently hosts American Civil War reenactments, with a focus on events connected to Bleeding Kansas and bushwhackers. There is also an in-house blacksmith and other various era-specific artisans.
The original farm was founded by James Beatty Mahaffie and his wife Lucinda, in 1858. They ran it until 1870 and stayed on the farm until 1886. The existing house was completed by Mahaffie in 1865. It includes two foot thick limestone blocks quarried from the farm itself.
The Mahaffies left their name not only on the museum, but on a street in Olathe, Mahaffie Elementary School, and on a recent subdivision.[1]
Address: 1200 E Kansas City Rd, 66061-3002 Olathe (Olathe Original Town)
Museum of Deaf History
Specialty museum, Museum
Address: 455 E Park St, 66061-5436 Olathe (Olathe Original Town)
Chestnut Fine Arts Center
Concerts and shows, Park, Relax in park
Address: 234 N Chestnut St, 66061-3407 Olathe (Olathe Original Town)
Kansas City Automotive Museum
Specialty museum, Museum
Address: 15095 W 116th St, 66062 Olathe
Albert Ott House
The Albert Ott House is a historic house in Olathe, Kansas, U.S. It was built in 1894 for Albert Ott, the president of the Olathe State Bank, and his wife Helena Hyer, whose brother founded the Hyer Boot Company. It was designed in the Queen Anne architectural style. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since April 1, 1998.[2]
Olathe Lanes East
Bowling alley
Address: 303 N Lindenwood Dr, 66062-1238 Olathe
I. O. Pickering House
The I. O. Pickering House is a historic house in Olathe, Kansas, U.S. It was built in 1878 for Isaac O. Pickering, who served as the mayor of Olathe from 1878 to 1885. It remained in the Pickering family until 1960. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since December 1, 1980.[3]
Franklin R. Lanter House
The Franklin R. Lanter House is a historic house located at 562 West Park Street in Olathe, Kansas.[4]
Martin Van Buren Parker House
The Martin Van Buren Parker House is a historic house in Olathe, Kansas, U.S. It was built in 1869 for Martin Van Buren Parker, a lawyer, his wife Emma, and their five children. Emma's brother was John St. John, who went on to serve as the 8th Governor of Kansas from 1879 to 1883. It remained in the Parker family until 1960, and it was restored by the new owners in the 1980s. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since December 20, 1988.[5]
First Art Gallery of Olathe
Museum
Address: 11951 S Strang Line Rd, Olathe
MidAmerica Nazarene University
Private university in Olathe, Kansas. MidAmerica Nazarene University is a private Nazarene university in Olathe, Kansas, United States. It was established in 1966.[6]
Address: 2030 E College Way, Olathe