Olathe was founded by John T. Barton in the spring of 1857. He rode to the center of Johnson County, and staked two quarter sections of land as the town site.[citation needed] He later described his ride to friends: "...the prairie was covered withverbena and other wild flowers. I kept thinking the land was beautiful and that I should name the town Beautiful."[citation needed] Purportedly, Barton asked aShawnee interpreter how to say "Beautiful" in his native language. The interpreter responded, "Olathe."[7]
Olathe was incorporated in 1857,[8] and while not the first city in Johnson County, its rapid growth led to it being named thecounty seat in October 1859.[7] Rising tensions across the nation over the issue ofslavery led to numerous clashes betweenabolitionist settlers and neighboring slave stateMissouri. These clashes further escalated and become a part of the greater conflict known asBleeding Kansas. With the admission of Kansas into the Union as afree state in 1861, violence began to dissipate. Peace continued to elude Olathe for many years to come, however. In 1861, Union officials and local military forces created a military post in the city. It housed one company of troops along with the local militia.
On September 6, 1862,William Quantrill led a surprise raid of guerrillaConfederates against the city, which resulted in a half dozen deaths and the destruction of most of the city. Quantrill captured the outpost and tried forcing the men to swear an oath to the Confederacy. The oath was deemed invalid in November 1862, since the guerrillas were not considered legitimate enemy military units.[9][10][11] Kansas militia continued to occupy the Olathe military post through the rest of theCivil War.
Confederate forces attempted two further raids against the city. The first happened on August 20–21, 1863, as Quantrill was passing through on his way toLawrence, Kansas (seeLawrence Massacre). The second raid occurred October 24–5, 1864, when ConfederateMajor GeneralSterling Price, with a force of 10,000 men, passed through on their retreat south (seePrice's Raid).[12][13][14] With the Confederate surrender, the military post was decommissioned in August 1865.[15]
Olathe served as a stop on theOregon Trail, theCalifornia Trail, and theSanta Fe Trail. Catering to travelers was the main source of income for local stores and businesses. TheMahaffie House, a popular resupply point for wagons headed westward, is today a registered historical site maintained by the City of Olathe. The staff wears period costumes, and stagecoach rides and farm animals make the site a favorite among children. Visitors can participate in Civil War re-enactments, Wild West Days, and other activities.[citation needed]
After the construction of thetranscontinental railroad, the trails to the west lost importance, and Olathe faded into obscurity and remained a small, sleepy prairie town.
In the 1950s, the construction of theinterstate highway system and, more directly,Interstate 35, linked Olathe to nearbyKansas City, Missouri. The result was tremendous residential growth as Olathe became a part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. In the 1980s, Olathe experienced tremendous commercial growth, which also drew more residents. Olathe's population is estimated to have surpassed 100,000 in 2001, and later projections showed Olathe's growth continuing as the city expanded into the farm fields south, west, and north of town.[citation needed]
Olathe is bordered by the cities ofLenexa to the north,Overland Park to the east,De Soto to the northwest, andGardner to the southwest.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 60.42 square miles (156.49 km2) of which 59.66 square miles (154.52 km2) are land and 0.76 square miles (1.97 km2) is covered by water.[16] Olathe has two public lakes: Lake Olathe with 172 acres (0.70 km2) of water surface and Cedar Lake with 45 acres (0.18 km2).
Olathe has a humid continental climate, with cold winters and hot summers. Temperatures range from an average high of 39 °F (4 °C) and low 20 °F (−7 °C) in January to an average high of nearly 90 °F (32 °C) in July. The temperature reaches 90 °F (32 °C) an average of 36 days per year and 100 °F (38 °C) an average of three days per year. The minimum temperature falls below freezing (32 °F) an average of 102 days per year, but rarely drops below 10 °F (−12 °C). Typically, the first frost occurs between mid-October and the first week of November, and the last frost occurs between the end of March and the second week of April.
The area receives approximately 40 inches (1,000 mm) of precipitation during an average year, with the largest share being received in May and June—the April–June period averages 30 days of measurable precipitation. During a typical year, the total amount of precipitation may range from 28 to almost 53 inches. On average, 95 days of measurable precipitation occur per year. Winter snowfall averages about 19 inches, but the median is 13 inches (330 mm). Measurable snowfall occurs an average of nine days per year, with at least an inch of snow being received on seven of those days. Snow depth of at least an inch occurs an average of 25 days per year.
Climate data for Olathe, Kansas (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–2009)
Olathe, Kansas – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Of the 50,070 households, 40.1% had children under the age of 18; 60.0% were married couples living together; 20.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 20.2% of households consisted of individuals and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[26] The average household size was 2.8 and the average family size was 3.3.[29] The percent of those with a bachelor's degree or higher was estimated to be 32.7% of the population.[30]
27.7% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.0 males.[26] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 104.9 males.[26]
The 2016–2020 5-yearAmerican Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $96,548 (with a margin of error of +/- $1,957) and the median family income was $105,927 (+/- $2,403).[31] Males had a median income of $54,705 (+/- $1,766) versus $36,251 (+/- $2,111) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $45,840 (+/- $1,393).[32] Approximately, 3.9% of families and 5.5% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 6.6% of those under the age of 18 and 5.8% of those ages 65 or over.[33][34]
As of thecensus[35] of 2010, 125,872 people, 44,507 households, and 33,274 families were residing in the city.[36] Thepopulation density was 2,109.8 inhabitants per square mile (814.6/km2). The 46,851 housing units had an average density of 785.3 per square mile (303.2/km2). Theracial makeup of the city was 83.1% White, 5.3% African American, 0.4% Native American, 4.1% Asian, 4.2% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 10.2% of the population.
Of the 44,507 households, 44.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.9% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 25.2% were not families. About 20.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.3% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.80, and the average family size was 3.24.
The median age in the city was 32.9 years; 30% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.5% were between 18 and 24; 32.1% were from 25 to 44; 23.1% were from 45 to 64; and 7.2% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.5% male and 50.5% female.
As of the2000 United States census,[37] 92,962 people, 32,314 households, and 24,623 families were residing in the city. The population density was 1,716.4 inhabitants per square mile (662.7/km2). The 33,343 housing units averaged of 615.6 per square mile (237.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 88.63% White, 3.70% African American, 0.43% Native American, 2.74% Asian, 2.69% from other races, and 1.80% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 5.44% of the population; 26.1% were ofGerman, 11.0%Irish, 10.7%English, and 9.6%American ancestry.
Of the 32,314 households, 45.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.8% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.8% were not families. About 18.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83, and the average family size was 3.24.
In the city, age distribution was 30.8% under 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 36.7% from 25 to 44, 18.1% from 45 to 64, and 5.2% who were 65 or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.1 males.
Olathe's commercial and industrial parks are home to many companies, includingHoneywell,Husqvarna,ALDI,Garmin,Grundfos, andFarmers Insurance Group. Although Farmers Insurance is based inLos Angeles, California, Olathe has more of its employees than any other city in the United States.
TheFederal Aviation Administration, an agency of theUnited States Department of Transportation, administers and maintains anair traffic-control center in Olathe, designated Kansas City Center or ZKC. Kansas City Center is one of 20 regional traffic-control centers that cover United States airspace. Johnson County maintains an airport in Olathe,Johnson County Executive Airport, which is located on about 500 acres (2.0 km2) of land with a 4,100-ft (1250-m) runway, parallel taxiways, and a federal contract air traffic-control tower. The airport is the second-busiest in the state.[38]
Buddy Rogers was an American actor who played the leading role inWings (1927), which won the first Academy Award for Best Picture in 1929. He was also a notable jazz musician and film producer. The actor was married to film legendMary Pickford and won an honorary Oscar in 1986.
Charles Miller was a saxophonist and flutist for the multicultural California funk bandWar. Lead singer and saxophonist on the 1975 songLow Rider.
^"Olathe was incorporated in 1857 under a charter from the 'Bogus Legislature.' ... Some doubts existed as to the legality of the incorporation and it was re-incorporated in 1868 as a city of the third class...." —Blackmar, Frank W., ed."Olathe".Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc. ... Vol. II. Standard Pub. Co. (Chicago: 1912) pp. 386–387.
