Olathe, Kansas
USA
Geographic Coordinates: 38.883300, -94.820000
Temperature Range: -10.0°C to 40.0°C (14°F to 104°F)
Climate: Seasonal, with hot summers and cold winters.
Population: 140339
Language: English
Olathe is a city in Kansas, USA, With a population of approximately 140, 000 people. The name Olathe means beautiful in the Shawnee Indian language. The city has a rich history and diverse culture that visitors can explore by visiting its historic downtown district. The downtown area has numerous shops, Restaurants, And attractions that showcase the city’s unique character. Visitors can also participate in community events such as the annual Farmer’s Market or Holiday Lighting Ceremony or visit local landmarks like Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm Historic Site.
Olathe boasts of a strong economy with various industries such as healthcare, Education, Technology, Manufacturing and retail which provide ample job opportunities for residents. Some major employers include Garmin International Inc., Honeywell Aerospace Inc., And Olathe Health System. The city also offers an excellent quality-of-life to residents with access to top-notch schools, Safe neighborhoods, And abundant recreational opportunities. There are over 50 parks that offer hiking trails, Bike paths, Picnic areas, And playgrounds.
Other popular outdoor destinations include Lake Olathe, A scenic lake with boating, Fishing, Camping facilities, And Prairie Center Park, A nature preserve with walking trails, Wildlife viewing areas, And educational exhibits. Olathe prides itself on being an inclusive community that values diversity and hosts numerous festivals throughout the year such as Indian Festivals, Holiday Parades, Country Fairs etc which bring together people from different cultures, Residents are proud to celebrate their heritage through these events. Offering world-class amenities coupled with small-town hospitality, Olate serves as an ideal place for families looking for a safe, Nurturing environment to raise their children.
Overall, Olathe is an attractive place to live because of its strong economy, Excellent schools, Diverse recreational opportunities and vibrant culture. Whether you’re visiting or living there permanently there’s always something new to discover in this beautiful Kansas City suburb.’
Important Landmarks
- Olathe is a city in Kansas known for its famous landmarks and tourist attractions.
- Some of these include:
- Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm Historic Site
- Ernie Miller Nature Center
- Garmin Headquarters
- Black Bob Park
- Olathe Farmers’ Market
- Heritage Park
- Prairie Center Park
- Lake Olathe
- Indian Creek Greenway Trail
- Old Settlers Cemetery
- Healthcare
- Olathe Medical Center
- St. Luke’s Health System
- Manufacturing
- Garmin International (GPS technology)
- Honeywell Aerospace (aerospace equipment)
- B/E Aerospace (aircraft interiors)
- Retail
- Walmart
- Target
- Technology
- Sprint Corporation
- Black & Veatch
- Education
- Public school system
- MidAmerica Nazarene University
- Johnson County Community College
- Agriculture
- Finance/insurance services
- Construction/real estate development
- Transportation/logistics services
- The establishment of Olathe in 1857 as a stop on the Santa Fe Trail.
- The Battle of Indian Creek in 1862, which took place near present-day Olathe and was one of the largest battles fought during the American Civil War in Kansas.
- The construction of the Johnson County Courthouse in downtown Olathe in 1891, which is still standing today and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Several prominent politicians who have called Olathe home include former Kansas Governor John Anderson Jr., former U.S. Senator Nancy Kassebaum Baker, and current U.S. Representative Kevin Yoder.
- The growth and development of Garmin International, a technology company that is headquartered in Olathe and has become a major player in the global GPS market.
- A tragic murder-suicide occurred at an Excel Industries plant in February 2016, which claimed three employees’ lives and injured fourteen others.
- Notable sports figures associated with Olathe include NFL quarterback Josh Freeman, MLB pitcher Nate Robertson, Olympic gold medalist wrestler Jordan Burroughs, and NBA player Willie Cauley-Stein (who attended high school there).
- Other notable residents or visitors to Olathe over time include writer Laura Ingalls Wilder (who spent time there as a child), musician Charlie Parker (who played gigs there early in his career), actor Paul Rudd (who grew up nearby), and comedian Rob Riggle (who attended high school there).
- Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm Historic Site
- Ernie Miller Nature Center
- Kansas City Automotive Museum
- Olathe Community Center and Park
- Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art
- Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center
- Ensor Park and Museum
- Indian Creek Greenway Trail
- Black Bob Bay Aquatic Center
- Olathe Farmer’s Market at the Downtown Olathe Square
- Olathe North High School Eagles – The Eagles have a successful football program that has won three state championships (1984, 1990, and 2001) and produced several NFL players.
- Olathe East High School Hawks – The Hawks have a strong basketball program that has won two state championships (1990 and 2016).
- MidAmerica Nazarene University Pioneers – MNU’s athletic programs include football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball and softball. The Pioneers are members of the Heart of America Athletic Conference.
- Olathe Soccer Club – Founded in 1977 as the Johnson County Soccer Association (JCSA), the club has grown into one of the largest soccer organizations in the Midwest.
- Kansas City T-Bones Baseball Club – Although not located in Olathe proper but nearby in Kansas City KS they play their home games at JustBats Field at T-Bones Stadium which is part of the larger Legends Outlets shopping center complex near I-70 & I-435 interchange.
- Olathe Youth Baseball Association(OYBA)- Established in 1955 for boys ages 5 to 14 years old providing recreational baseball opportunities for local youth players with over a thousand participants annually across more than sixty teams from tee-ball through teenage leagues.
- Olathe Sweet Corn Festival
- Johnson County Old Settlers Days
- Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm Fall Festival
- Indian Creek Trail Art & Music Festival
- Olathe Latino Festival
- Olathe Farmers’ Market
- Christmas in the Park
- Irish Fest KC at Zona Rosa (nearby)
- Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que – Famous for their smoked meats and barbecue sauce.
- Smokin’ Joe’s BBQ – Another popular spot for barbecue lovers.
- SPIN! Neapolitan Pizza – Known for their authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas.
- Mi Ranchito – A Mexican restaurant that serves traditional dishes like tacos, burritos, and enchiladas.
- The Wooden Spoon – A farm-to-table restaurant that offers seasonal dishes made with locally-sourced ingredients.
- Sushi Mido – A Japanese restaurant that serves sushi rolls, sashimi, and other Japanese dishes.
- Old 56 Family Restaurant- A casual diner serving classic American comfort food like burgers, sandwiches, and breakfast items.
- La Fuente Mexican Restaurant & Cantina- Another popular Mexican spot known for its margaritas and fajitas.
- Pho Good Vietnamese Restaurant- Serving Pho soup bowls along with other Vietnamese dishes.
- Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom- A chain pizza place serving a variety of pies along with beer on tap.
- Black Bob Park features:
- Playground
- Picnic areas
- Sports fields and courts
- Fishing lake
- Walking trails
- Cedar Lake Park offers:
- Hiking trails
- Fishing opportunities
- Disc golf course
- Heritage Park includes:
- Off-leash dog park
- Baseball fields
- Soccer fields
- Playgrounds
- Picnic shelters
- Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm Historic Site provides visitors with the opportunity to learn about life on the frontier in the 1860s.
- Olathe Community Center offers:
- Indoor swimming pool with slides and water features
- Fitness classes
- Ernie Miller Nature Center offers educational programs for all ages about wildlife in Kansas.
- Prairie Highlands Golf Course is an 18-hole golf course open to the public.
- Indian Creek Greenway Trail is a paved trail that spans over 17 miles through Johnson County including Olathe.
- Olathe Farmer’s Market is open from April through October offering fresh produce from local farmers.
- Olathe Sweet Corn Festival is an annual festival held in July featuring live music food vendors and activities for all ages.
Primary Industries
Noteable History
Museums and Things To See
Sports Teams
Overall there are many sports teams with deep roots within this community offering opportunities for athletes at all levels to develop their skills while representing their town on various stages throughout competitions locally or regionally against other schools or clubs from neighboring states such as Missouri or Oklahoma etc..