The history of the Kenneth Smith property
The property that is under consideration for development has a significant history both in
Kansas, and in Shawnee. The land was originally owned by the Shawnee Indians. Jesse
(Louis) and Mary Whitedeer sold 80 acres on February 5, 1867 to an Englishman John
Garrett and his wife Anna. Because the land involved purchase of Indian land, the
transaction needed to be sent to Washington, D.C. for approval.
John was a stonemason like his father who emigrated to America in 1855. John lived
with his wife in Wyandotte County until he purchased the Indian land. He built the
original 3 room stone house. A parlor and bedroom were in the front, and a fireplace on
each end.
The house is built typical of English architect at the time, which has the inside walls
angeled slightly downward toward the outside walls to conserve heat. Otherwise, the
outside walls are straight and perpendicular to the ground.
The home and 20 acres was eventually bought in 1933 by Kenneth Smith who came to
Shawnee from Mission Hills Country Club. He had learned his trade at the Mission Hills
Country Club, and began making golf clubs for himself. His business thrived and his
property acquisition continued, hiring many Shawnee citizens and retired or out of work
farmers to help him make golf clubs. His acquisition of property included the property
that is now Good Shepard Church, and Fairway Hills neighborhood. Sixty acres are all
that currently are part of the Kenneth and Eva trust, which includes the 9 hole golf
course.
His employees eventually started testing the golf clubs and built the first hole. Kenneth
encouraged them to continue building the course by offering materials. The employees
eventually created 9 holes working after hours and on weekends. A contest to name the
facility was won by a drawing, and the name "Happy Hunting Club" has stuck being listed
as a private park on Shawnee's listing of private and public parks until 2004.
The other transactions for the property: 1872 John and Anna to Charles Garret, 40 acres;
1879 Charles and Sarah Garrett to Seraphic, 40 acres; 1901 John Garrett widow to
Severn Nunnick; 1925 Effie Hamler to L.A. Petit, 40 acres; 1933 L.A. Petit to K. Smith 20
acres; 1934 Petit to K. Smith 20 acres; 1946 Van Herche to K. Smith; 1954 Wasson to K.
Smith 80 acres.
Source material provided by: Cindi Johnson and Garrett descendants, and Johnson
County Historical Society.
The property that is under consideration for development has a significant history both in
Kansas, and in Shawnee. The land was originally owned by the Shawnee Indians. Jesse
(Louis) and Mary Whitedeer sold 80 acres on February 5, 1867 to an Englishman John
Garrett and his wife Anna. Because the land involved purchase of Indian land, the
transaction needed to be sent to Washington, D.C. for approval.
John was a stonemason like his father who emigrated to America in 1855. John lived
with his wife in Wyandotte County until he purchased the Indian land. He built the
original 3 room stone house. A parlor and bedroom were in the front, and a fireplace on
each end.
The house is built typical of English architect at the time, which has the inside walls
angeled slightly downward toward the outside walls to conserve heat. Otherwise, the
outside walls are straight and perpendicular to the ground.
The home and 20 acres was eventually bought in 1933 by Kenneth Smith who came to
Shawnee from Mission Hills Country Club. He had learned his trade at the Mission Hills
Country Club, and began making golf clubs for himself. His business thrived and his
property acquisition continued, hiring many Shawnee citizens and retired or out of work
farmers to help him make golf clubs. His acquisition of property included the property
that is now Good Shepard Church, and Fairway Hills neighborhood. Sixty acres are all
that currently are part of the Kenneth and Eva trust, which includes the 9 hole golf
course.
His employees eventually started testing the golf clubs and built the first hole. Kenneth
encouraged them to continue building the course by offering materials. The employees
eventually created 9 holes working after hours and on weekends. A contest to name the
facility was won by a drawing, and the name "Happy Hunting Club" has stuck being listed
as a private park on Shawnee's listing of private and public parks until 2004.
The other transactions for the property: 1872 John and Anna to Charles Garret, 40 acres;
1879 Charles and Sarah Garrett to Seraphic, 40 acres; 1901 John Garrett widow to
Severn Nunnick; 1925 Effie Hamler to L.A. Petit, 40 acres; 1933 L.A. Petit to K. Smith 20
acres; 1934 Petit to K. Smith 20 acres; 1946 Van Herche to K. Smith; 1954 Wasson to K.
Smith 80 acres.
Source material provided by: Cindi Johnson and Garrett descendants, and Johnson
County Historical Society.
Kenneth Smith Property History
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select the link above to
go to current owner of
the legedary golf club
maker
go to current owner of
the legedary golf club
maker
See Shawnee Dispatch article:
See Corps information for Cultural Resources report for the site
