Osawatomie - John Brown Country

Osawatomie - Page 2

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Additional buildings were added over the years and by the turn of the century it included dormitories for employees, shops, an electric power plant, ice house, bakery, laundry, barns, greenhouses and a reservoir. In 1912, it could serve more than 1,000 patients. My the mid 20th Century, newspapers began to run report on the deplorable conditions of of state run hospitals which included neglect, brutality, overcrowded facilities, and the use of restraints. Soon, the Governor and the legislature acted and reform began that included new facilities and training programs for staff.

A “rehabilitation center,” which included a swimming pool, well-equipped auditorium, and a modern gymnasium was completed in 1963. Sadly, the main building was razed in 2002, but several other historic buildings continue to stand. On the outskirts of the property sits a sad little cemetery, where no names are contained on the tombstones -- only numbers. The hospital is much smaller today, serving only 176 patients. We have read reports that the grounds are allegedly haunted and were not surprised. However, we could find no detailed reports of activity.

It's been a few years since this old building has been used,

Kathy Weiser, May, 2010.

Railroads arrived in the early 1870’s, at which time the town prospered as a shipping point for the rich agricultural country surrounding it. The town gained another newspaper, called The Osawatomie Times in 1881, but it was only published for a year. That same year, the Methodist Church congregation built the second church in the community. By the early 1880’s, the town had a stone schoolhouse, two general stores, two grocery stores, two hardware stores, a drug store, furniture store, lumber yard, two hotels, three blacksmith shops, a wagon shop, and about 600 inhabitants.

By the early 1900s, the town had once again gained newspapers, including the Graphic and Globe, both weeklies. A larger school building was constructed in 1906. By 1910, the town boasted more than 4,000 people.

Over the next century, though Osawatomie moved into the future, it always maintained its small town atmosphere and agricultural economic base, as well as holding tightly to its rich history. Today, this community of about 4,600 people provides a number of historic sites for visitors.

Commemorating the Kansas-Missouri Border War and John Brown is the 1877 Soldiers Monument, erected to honor the five men killed in the Battle of Osawatomie, located at 9th & Main Street.

At the John Brown Memorial Park and State Historic Site, situated on the land where the Battle of Osawatomie took place, is the old Adair Cabin, which serves as a museum today. The site is located at 10th and Main Street.

The Railroad Depot Museum, located at 628 Main Street, commemorates Osawatomie’s history as a railroad center. Several other historic buildings and bridges can be seen throughout the town on a Driving Tour of the city.

More Information:

City of Osawatomie

439 Main Street
Osawatomie, Kansas 66064
913-755-2146

Osawatomie Depot Museum, Kathy Weiser, May, 2004.

John Brown Museum, Kathy Weiser, May, 2010.

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