The Founding of Downs, Kansas
In 1879 the Central Branch of the Union Pacific Railroad designated a site on the homesteads of John Beal, Harriet Delay, and Azariah and Marinda Blunt as their new division point. The town of Downs was named for railroad superintendent Major William F. Downs. Morgan Avenue the town's main north-south thoroughfare, was named after Major Downs' mother. Beale, Blunt, and Delay Streets honor the original landowners. Downs was incorporated as a third-class city on December 17, 1879.
Marker is on Railroad Avenue near Morgan Avenue (Kansas Route 181), on the right when traveling east.
Courtesy hmdb.org
