Stories Behind Lenexa
Street Names

If we pay attention, history can warn us. But happily, it can also inspire us. The stories behind any of Lenexa’s street names can do just that: inspire.

The first territorial governor of Kansas, Andrew Reeder, has a northeast Lenexa street named in his honor: Reeder Street.

William Lackman built the beautiful Victorian home which currently houses the Lenexa Chamber of Commerce at College Boulevard and Lackman Road.

Lingle Lane is named for Johnna Lingle, Lenexa’s first female mayor. She later became a Johnson County commissioner.

Bluejacket Street is named for Charles Bluejacket, a Shawnee Indian who came to Kansas in 1832 and became a highly respected Methodist minister.

Caenen Lake Road is named for Remi Caenen, a farmer, stockman and home developer who came from Belgium as a baby. He built the imposing Caenen Castle at Johnson Drive and Caenen Street in Shawnee.

Alden Road is named for William Alden, who donated land for the Greenwood School.

Gillette Street is named after H.D. Gillette, who started Lenexa’s first blacksmith shop. He came to Lenexa one year after its 1869 platting.

Renner Boulevard is named for Adam and Anna Renner, farmers who arrived in Johnson County 11 years before Kansas became the 34th state and 146 years before Lenexa City Center was envisioned along the boulevard bearing their name.

Bradshaw Drive is named for Charles Bradshaw, one of Lenexa’s founders. He and his wife Sarah owned 160 acres at the northwest corner of 95th Street and Noland Road. Lenexa’s original town site was carved from their property.

While we’re on the subject of names: According to an 1892 Olathe Mirror news article, Lenexa was supposed to have been named Trenton after Bradshaw’s hometown in Illinois. Of course, that did not happen, and our town has a truly unique name.