Wagon Master Dick Williams

AKA Wagon Master; Dick Williams Wagon Master

Richard “Dick” Williams moved to Johnson County in the 1850s. Originally a surveyor, he became a “wagon master” as he escorted wagon trains between Kansas City and Santa Fe. He was known as someone who moved the trains along and got them to where they were going.

Mr. Williams lived in a large stone house at what is now the corner of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Nieman Road. In the 1950s, the house was torn down, and the stones were stored at Shawnee Mission Park with the possible intent of rebuilding the house. However, enough funds to cover the cost of recreating the house were not raised and the stones were later used to create the gateway facade at the park.

This piece is four feet wide and almost nine feet tall. The artist carved the body of Mr. Williams into a large piece of native limestone. The head was cast of bronze and mounted on the stone to give the sculpture its unique look. It was dedicated on the 150th anniversary of the city of Shawnee.