Baxter Springs is an old-school frontier town near the tristate border
On the Kansas side of the Missouri and Oklahoma state lines, the city of Baxter Springs has an old-school atmosphere and easy access to urban amenities. The former frontier town was once a Civil War-era fort, a rowdy cattle town robbed by Jesse James and a mining hub. Today, many of the 3,900 residents work in health care and agriculture. A stretch of the famous Route 66 — now Route 69 — once rolled through town, before being decommissioned when the interstate popped up a few miles away. Shopping and dining in Joplin are about 25 minutes from town, and Baxter Springs has several businesses and conveniences of its own.
Century-old and recently built homes mix in Baxter Springs
Housing stock includes homes built in the early 20th century and in the 1950s during the golden age of Route 66, plus some newer suburban construction from the 2010s. Homes below 1,500 square feet sell for $40,000 to $180,000, while larger homes mostly sell for $130,000 to $250,000. The newest homes tend to dot the southern outskirts of town. Properties in town are situated on grid-patterned streets with small front lawns and sidewalk access, while those on the outskirts usually trade sidewalks for larger front lawns, longer driveways and more trees.
Route 66 runs through a vintage downtown area
The former Route 66 serves as Baxter Springs’ main street. False-front brick storefronts from the 1900s to the ’20s contribute to the city’s historic feel, and many of the buildings now house local businesses like banks, law offices and restaurants. Don Juan’s Mexican Restaurant serves hearty portions of Mexican staples like alambres and arroz con pollo in a cantina setting. Weston’s Café occupies a historic bank building that was robbed by Jesse James’ gang in 1876. Bricks & Brews Woodfire Grill & Pub offers a laid-back setting for pizza, beer, watching sports games and listening to live music. Local grocery options include King Cash Saver and Harps Food Stores.
Local parks offer both recreational and educational opportunities
Baxter Springs is surrounded by parks and natural attractions. The Spring River forms this city’s eastern border, and Kiwanis Park and its campground embrace the riverbend. This park also includes a playground, a skate park and a 20-hole disc golf course that hosts Halloween “Spooktacular” tournaments. Located within the city, the Fort Blair Historic Site recreates parts of a U.S. Army frontier outpost and occasionally hosts Civil War living history events to educate the public. At the city’s southern edge, the Baxter Springs Golf & Country Club, with its 9-hole golf course and pool, is open to the public.
Baxter Springs High has its own "Hall of Fame" for star athletes
Students can start at Lincoln Elementary School, which receives a B rating from Niche. Central Elementary School receives an A-minus and serves grades 3-6. Students can finish off at B-plus-rated Baxter Springs High School, which honors its strong basketball and baseball programs with a Hall of Fame.
Nearby highways offer speedy access to Joplin
U.S. Routes 69 and 66 connect Baxter Springs to the regional shopping and employment hub of Joplin, a 16-mile drive across the Missouri border. Baxter Springs has its own clinic, the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, but the nearest hospital is the Mercy Specialty Hospital in Joplin.
Written By
Jacob Adelhoch
