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George Washington Carver Memorial Marker


category : Memorials
George Washington Carver Memorial Marker Granite Marker at the Carver Homestead

One of Beeler's most famous pioneer settlers was George Washington Carver, who journeyed by wagon from Highland, Kansas to Eden Township in Ness Countv with J.F. Beeler.

In August 1886, Carver established a claim on the SE ¾ of 4-19- 26 approximately l½ miles south of present day Beeler. He maintained a small conservatory of plants and flowers and a geological collection; as well as working for George H. Steeley on his ranch and doing odd jobs in town.

While trying to prove up his claim he broke out seventeen acres, all of which were plowed, and planted rice, corn, Indian corn and garden produce. Also, he planted forest trees, mulberry, plum and apricot fruit trees and shrubbery. He made all these necessary improvements with a spade, hoe and corn planter, but no domestic animals.

In early 1888, after successive years of drought, Carver obtained a $300.00 loan from
George A. Borthwick, Vice-President of the Bank of Ness City, stating he wanted to further his education. In June of that year Carver left the area, and on January 1, 1891 he deeded his claim over to Fred C. Borthwick for one dollar and other valuable considerations.

Shortly after his death in 1943, there was a movement by the Ness County Historical Society to erect a monument marking the site of his homestead. After many years of fund raising, a stone marking was dedicated in his honor on Sunday, October 11, 1953. This site was entered on the National Register of Historic Places on November 23, 1977 by the Kansas State Historical Society. This marker simply states:

Dedicated to the memory of
George Washington Carver

1864-1943

Citizen-Scientist-Benefactor
who rose from slavery to fame
and gave to our country an
everlasting heritage

Ness County is proud to honor
him and claim him as a prioneer
This stone marks the northeast
corner of the homestead on which
he filed in 1886

Erected by friends and the
Ness County Historical Society
1953


In the late 1950's, a highway marker was erected on K-96 highway just west of Beeler by the Kansas Historical Society and the State Highway Commission. This marker pays homage to the inventor and humanitarian and directs travelers to the "Homestead of a Genius".

State MarkerHOMESTEAD OF A GENIUS

A mile and a half south of Beeler, Kansas, is a quarter section which was homesteaded by one of the great scientist of America, George Washington Carver. Through his discoveries agriculture in the South was evolutionized. From sweet potatoes and peanuts alone he made paint, soap, wallboard, milk, medicines, cosmetics and 500 other products, worth millions of dollars. A Negro, whose parents were slaves, he has been called the foremost genius of his race.

Carver was born in Missouri in 1864. He came to Kansas as a boy, drifting from Fort Scott to Paola, Olathe, Minneapolis and Highland. He did odd jobs, took in washing, cooked, attending school when he could. At 17, classed with 6th graders in Minneapolis, he was reported "perfect in deportment." He was 22 when he homesteaded here, and built a sod house. Two years later he
mortgaged his claim to go to college. At 32, with a master's degree, he went to Tuskegee Institute, Alabama, on a salary of $1,500. Although Edison once
offered him $100,000 a year, he remained there until his death in 1943.


Erected by the Kansas Historical Society and State Highway Commission


Come visit us in Ness City, Kansas

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Ness County Historical Museum

The Historical Museum is housed in the old Beardslee Brothers General Store which originally was a building owned by Ross Calhoun, the father of Ness City. When a fire destroyed the building in 1899, the present building was built with supplies from the razed Calhoun House and sugar mill.

Ness City, KS Museums

Ness County Veterans Memorial Park

This memorial honors Ness County Veterans, with a special remembrance to those who made the ultimate sacrifice when answering their country'

Ness City, KS Memorials

Outdoor Recreation

Recreational facilities include a modern municipal swimming pool, hard-surfaced tennis courts, city park playgrounds, theatre, the Cedar Bluff reservoir recreational area on K-147 highway only 27 miles northeast. Good fishing is provided from the waters of the Cedar Bluff reservoir, Goodman Lake (

Ness City, KS Recreation

Ness County Bank Building

The four-story, 18,700 sq. ft. stone building at the intersection of Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, in Ness City, Kansas, was called, upon its completion in 1890, "The finest and most imposing structure west of Topeka." In February, 1972, the building was placed on the

Ness City, KS Historic Buildings

Ness City's First Schoolhouse

The pioneer Pembleton family purchased the Old Echo Print Shop, a small native stone building built in 1882

Ness City, KS Historic Schoolhouses

Things to do Memorials near Ness City, KS