Holton offers rural charm and outdoor recreation
Holton exemplifies small-town charm with a historic downtown district surrounding the county courthouse, many Victorian-era homes, and several spacious parks across the community. Outdoorsy residents also enjoy proximity to two large lakes on the town’s edges, each stocked with fish and surrounded by campgrounds. Though a small community, Holton is supported by industrial centers, mainly related to farming and food production. “There’s lots of agriculture that goes on up there, and Johnsonville, a sausage-making plant,” says John Ringgold, a local real estate agent at Keller Williams One Legacy Partners with over 25 years of experience. The community sits just north of the Prairie Band of Potawatomi Nation Reservation and the Prairie Band Casino & Resort, which is also an employment center in the region.
A mix of historic properties and ranch-style homes
Large Victorian-era homes, including ornate Craftsman properties and American Foursquares, are found near the center of town. The rest of the housing inventory includes ranch-style homes and cottages from the 20th and early 21st centuries, often with shaded front porches and attached garages. Many of the town’s roads are laid with brick and lined with mature pine and maple trees, providing shade for sidewalks. Prices generally range from $50,000 to $300,000, depending on the home’s condition.
Shops and restaurants are found downtown and along the highway
Holton’s historic downtown square consists of four streets surrounding the Jackson County Courthouse, each filled with local businesses and novelty shops. “It’s thriving with restaurants and coffee shops,” Ringgold says. “There’s always a lot of activity around the square.” Jhett’s Pizza is one of the square’s popular eateries, housed in a vintage storefront with exposed brick interiors. More restaurants line Route 75 on the community’s west side, including fast food franchises and longstanding favorites like Trails Café, which has been serving homestyle American fare for over 50 years. Holton is also home to a Walmart and other grocery stores like Cecil K’s Hometown Market. Less than 15 miles south, Prairie Band Casino & Resort is a hub for gambling, live concerts and golf, with an 18-hole course that's open to the public.
Spacious public parks and several nearby fishing lakes
Rafter’s Park is the largest of several local parks and offers sand volleyball and pickleball courts, along with a community pool. Across the street, Elkhorn Lake is open for fishing. Linscott Park has basketball courts and playgrounds close to the downtown square. In addition to neighborhood green spaces, Banner Creek Reservoir is on the outskirts of town, regularly stocked with bass and catfish for fishing. The reservoir is a hot spot for deer hunting and boating, with several campgrounds scattered around the waterfront. North of Holton, Prairie Lake is also popular for camping and fishing. The private Holton Country Club has a nine-hole golf course.
The county fair is nearby, and more events are held downtown
The annual Jackson County Fair is held south of Holton at the Northeast Kansas Heritage Complex every July. Livestock showcases and 4-H competitions are the main attractions, though there are also live music and food vendors. More local events are held in Holton’s downtown square throughout the year. The annual Fall Fest is one of the town’s largest gatherings, featuring hundreds of craft vendors and a chili cook-off contest.
Holton schools score in the B range with various athletic programs
Holton Elementary earns a B-minus from Niche. The B-rated Holton Middle and the B-plus-rated Holton High both offer lots of athletic programs, including seasonal football, cross country and wrestling teams. The high school also has additional programs like golf and baseball.
Visiting Topeka via Route 75
Route 75 runs north-south through town, leading about 30 miles south to Topeka, and Kansas City is about 90 miles away. Holton Community Hospital is located about a mile north of town, and Kansas City International Airport is about 65 miles away.
