2023 and Beyond
2025 - Johnson County - A Pioneer Legacy (Logo Coming Soon)
2024 - FUN WITH FRIENDS: Making memories since 1898
2023 - Lasso the Future
1998-2022
2022 - Let the Festivities Begin
2021
Cancelled due to Johnson County Courthouse construction and continuing Covid 19 pandemic.
2020
Cancelled due to global Covid 19 pandemic.
2019 - Living in Paradise
2018 - Peace and Love: A Look back at the 60s
2017 - Be Your Own Kind of Superhero
1973-1997
1987
Schools were reciting the pledge of allegiance. Alexander Rays used to be across the street from the new library. They had a great price for washing machine $368.00. Shoe Rack had NB men’s running shoes for $24.99. The building on the NE corner of Park and Cherry had the first concrete sidewalk.
1948-1972
1968
The event had 81 hand-made craft booths and an additional 30 reseller booths. They had children’s day on the square that included 3-legged races and other fun activities. There was also a children’s parade before the regular parade which included a Parade Marshall. There was also a flower show.
1923-1947
1935
The registration of Old Settlers was different that year as people were asked to submit a letter to identify themselves and tell how long they had lived in the county. They had several different committees such as, water, coffee, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. During the celebration on Saturday at 2:45PM, they had an open marriage ceremony with a minister. Couples who had obtained a marriage license could participate on the courthouse lawn. There was a group of deaf musicians from Illinois who played for several groups including one with more than 500 people.
1898-1922
1919
Old Settlers was held in conjunction with the trail raid. The 19th US Calgary was honored. They had food and a street dance.
1910
“The Crowd in Attendance was the largest yet!” according to The Olathe Mirror, September 15, 1910.
Amusements included a baby show, tug of war, auto show, potato race, slow mule race and men’s over 70 walking race.
In county news, bids were received for a new City Hall. Income from police fines were $4.50 in the month of August. The constable was admonished to work harder next month, as the county courtroom rental was $5.00.
1905
It was the 7th annual Old Settlers. They started the festivities with a bugle call at 2PM. The governor and Mr. Ott were there. A gentleman said that Old Settlers meet annually, renew old friendships, impress upon your young folk to get new foundations. It was also made clear that Johnson County Old Settlers was a non-partisan and non-political group. A discussion about how the Santa Fe trail started was held on the courthouse lawn.
Specials from William C Keifer store were Studebaker and Rain wagons - he had them for a cheaper cost. The WC Elders Company was close to the post office. They were having a special for white sugar 25 cents per lb., boneless bacon 11 cents per lb., Best pkg coffee 15 cents and sugar cubed ham was 25 cents per lb.
1903
It was the 6th anniversary of Old Settlers which was held at County Courthouse square. Rain was predicted that day, but they decided to continue the festivities. The square was crowded with people that day. One of the guest speakers lined up was former governor Hon. Jon. P. St. John. Major Pickering, who did great things before the war, spoke too. They had Reverend C.C. Bentley lead the invocation before the event. Many guests came from across the KC area. There was a picnic lunch on the square. Mr. Ellis was here from Prairie Center.
During the week of Old Settlers, Union Pacific offered a round-trip ticket from KC to Denver for $17.50. Famous clothing store had heavy gray cotton full size blankets on sale for $0.05. The ladies’ union suit was on sale for $0.25. The men’s union suit was $0.29.
