Garnett balances a small-town atmosphere with easy access to cities
Since its founding in 1857, the Southeast Kansas city of Garnett hasn’t lost its small-town, Old West atmosphere. “It’s that happy, ‘I’m getting out of the big city, but I’m not in the middle of nowhere’ kind of town,” says Brian Davis, Parks and Recreation Director for Garnett. “You have grocery stores and restaurants, but you’re not bogged down in traffic and can get to work in 5 minutes.” The railroads that spurred this city’s 19th-century growth have since been replaced by major highways. “If you want those ‘big town, go shopping, go to the movies’ activities, or you want to go to a Royals or Chiefs game, Kansas City is around an hour's drive away,” Davis says. The population of 3,200 people has remained stable for decades, with agribusiness, the county hospital and a diverse retail scene offering plenty of local jobs. People are also drawn to Garnett for easy highway access to nearby cities for relatively low housing prices.
Old West-era properties mix with newer construction
Most of Garnett’s houses were built between the 1910s and 1970s, although the oldest properties date to the 1880s and many Lakeshore Drive homes were built from the 1990s to 2000s. Single-story and split-level properties are prevalent along Garnett’s streets. Homes built from the 1900s to 1950s tend to sell for between $90,000 and $250,000, while those built since then go for between $120,000 and $430,000. This city’s grid-patterned residential lanes tend to have sidewalks shaded by trees, as well as small driveways. Garnett’s median sale price of $286,000 is much lower than Lawrence’s median of $378,000 and Emporia’s $359,900. “We seem to have a bit of a lower tax rate compared to Kansas City or Olathe, even though you’re just an hour away,” Davis says.
North Lake Park hosts events and camping year-round
At the city’s northern edge, North Lake Park serves as Garnett’s main outdoor recreation venue. “North Lake Park is where most of our camping is,” Davis says. “We get people from as far as Minnesota who camp here. Everyone’s got a story of why they’re in Garnett; they might camp here while driving down to Florida.” A 48-acre lake is open for boating and fishing, while the 51-mile-long Prairie Spirit Trail runs past the lake. A 1950s-built sports car racecourse now hosts two go-kart races each year. “The Grand Prix helps raise money to re-pave all the roads in North Lake Park,” Davis says. “Lake Road is now probably one of the nicest roads in town.” Major events, from Fourth of July fireworks to the annual Cornstock Music Festival, draw hundreds of people to this large, 300-acre park. Next to Lake Garnett, the Garnett Country Club and its 9-hole golf course are open to the public. For those looking to play golf a different way, the Long Cedar Disc Golf Club offers an 18-hole course to casual players as well as to those participating in the Long Cedar Classic tournament.
Garnett's restaurants offer farm-to-table and fusion dishes
Garnett’s small dining scene serves diverse flavors, some sourced from the surrounding countryside. Dutch Country Café was founded by two families from Garnett’s significant Amish community to offer traditional, farm-to-table Pennsylvania Dutch fare. Mi-Fu Restaurant offers an extensive Asian fusion menu that includes Thai curries, Chinese noodle dishes and Vietnamese pho. Trade Winds Bar & Grill is a local favorite. “Every Friday and Saturday, that place is packed, whether it's families with kids or people getting beers,” Davis says. Maple Street is full of everyday conveniences, including the local Country Mart supermarket, hardware and animal feed stores and the Prairie Home Market flea market.
Anderson County schools emphasize career prep
Students can start their education at Garnett Elementary School from kindergarten through sixth grade; this school receives a C-plus rating from Niche. Anderson County Junior/Senior High School serves grades 7-12 and receives a B rating. Anderson County Senior High has a strong emphasis on career and technical education programs, offering courses like welding, food science and agriscience as well hosting as a Future Farmers of America chapter.
Major cities are accessible in around an hour's drive
Garnett’s location at the intersection of U.S. Highways 169 and 59 puts it within a 53-mile drive from Lawrence, 63 miles from Emporia, 76 miles from Topeka and 78 miles from Kansas City; each city is accessible between an hour and an hour and a half’s journey. Health care is close to home at the Anderson County Hospital.
Written By
Jacob Adelhoch
