Since its founding as a train depot in 1871, Parsons looks like a standard southwest Kansas town in many ways. However, like a train depot of the Old West, Parsons prides itself on being a center of activity in this rural area. “Parsons is a small town, but it’s a real melting pot,” says Stephanie Reitemeier, an agent with Golden Oak Real Estate who’s lived in Parsons for almost 30 years. “A lot of people come here from other places, so it has more of a mix of people than a typical small town.” Parsons proudly celebrates its history with events like the annual Katy Days Festival honoring the original rail line. Still, it equally invests in its present culture. “The railroad isn’t the center of everything,” says Reitemeier. “People here love to celebrate the arts, and we have lots of entrepreneurs and industry like Kansas State’s research center.” While Parsons has no shortage of small-town atmosphere, it continues to grow beyond the typical rural community.
Downtown Parsons has a wide variety of shops and retails stores to enjoy.
Parsons is a community that built its foundation around the railroad industry.
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Blocks of 1920s prairie-style and Craftsman homes
Residential streets cover most of the city. Blocks are lined with mature trees and homes sit on spacious grassy lawns. Parsons’ median home price is just over $100,000, but the full range includes various sizes and styles. “There aren’t brand new homes, but there’s a real mix,” says Reitemeier. “We have old Victorian homes; then the bungalows came along, then the ranch-style homes, and so on.” Relics of the early 1900s, like 1920s Craftsmans and bungalows, cost around the median. Large 1910s prairie-style homes and Foursquares cost closer to $250,000. Relatively newer 1950s ranch-style homes are also around the median price. Outside of town, larger homes with acreage can exceed $500,000.
Large 1910s prairie-style homes and Foursquares cost closer to $250,000 in Parsons.
Small front porches are popular among Parsons homes.
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Historic downtown Parsons
The downtown section of Main Street had fallen to the wayside, but over recent decades, a community-driven revitalization has made it the thriving center of town once again. The design committee upholds downtown’s aesthetic, and shops and restaurants occupy the storefronts of early-1900s buildings along blocks lined with wide red brick sidewalks. “Kitchen Pass and Shredders are a couple of my favorites,” says Reitemeier. “But I’d be afraid to say any restaurants are better than the others because I’ll have to hear about it.” Other downtown staples include Remnant Café and shops like Mustard Seed Bookstore. Even office supply stores like McCarty’s display grand signage. King Cash Saver is also downtown for weekly grocery shopping. During Katy Days, the town’s biggest celebration, the festivities are kicked off with a parade down Main Street, and many of the festivities take place a few blocks away in Forest Park. Katy Days is named after the original rail line running through Parsons, which locals called “The Katy.” The weekend-long festival involves live music, activities and railroad-themed events.
McCarty's is one of many local shops in downtown Parsons.
Mustard Seed is a popular shop to visit in downtown Parsons.
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Parsons Unified School District and Kansas State agricultural research
Local students are served by the Parsons Unified School District, rated a B overall by Niche. The district has three elementary schools, including the B-plus-rated Garfield School. All continue to Parsons Middle, given a C-plus, and Parson Senior High, which earns a B. Higher education also has a presence in town. Kansas State University’s Parsons Research Center, formally named the Southeast Research-Extension Center, is in the northwest corner of Parsons. The campus is one of multiple throughout the state. It includes offices, field and chemistry labs and the university’s Life Span Institute. In partnership with local government and farmers, the center conducts research to study and innovate agricultural practices to advance healthy and sustainable food systems.
Parsons Senior High School is an excellent option after graduating middle school.
Labette Community College offers education beyond high school in Parsons.
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Community parks and Parsons Arboretum
People get outside in community spaces like the Parsons Arboretum. This 19-acre space has gardens, trails and natural habitats around a visitor center that can be rented out for events. Forest Park is the city’s main recreation area, just off Main Street. It has shady green space, a playground, tennis courts, a community pool and an amphitheater. The amphitheater hosts the Music in the Park Concert Series — free shows every Thursday evening in June and July. On the north side of town, Katy Parsons Golf Club, locally called The Katy, provides 18 holes of golf open to the public.
Forest Park is a great place for Parsons residents to enjoy a walk.
The Parsons Arboretum is a green space with many different trails.
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Over 100 miles to a major city in any direction
Agriculture is the area’s primary business, but Parsons does have a decent amount of industry thanks to the commercial railway running through town. The area has healthcare options, with Labette Health — the local hospital — on the south side. Drivers can take U.S. Route 59 north and south. U.S. Route 400 bends around the north side of town, leading east and west. Joplin, Missouri, is the nearest larger city, over 50 miles southeast. Still, Parsons is a significant drive from any major city. However, it’s almost equidistant between four of them. Kansas City is the largest of them, over 150 miles north. Tulsa, Oklahoma, is 115 miles south. Springfield, Missouri, is 120 miles east. Wichita, Kansas, is 130 miles west.
Written By
Ed Coombs
Photography Contributed By
Zach Manwell
Video By
Ellie Brown
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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On average, homes in Parsons, KS sell after 59 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Parsons, KS over the last 12 months is $80,000, down 11% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Some properties offer acreage. Others offer convenience. It is rare to find both in the same place.Located just one mile south of the hospital in Parsons, this 120 +/- acre ranch offers the privacy and character of a true country estate while remaining remarkably close to town. A long private drive leads you away from the road and into a setting of open pasture, mature shade, expansive Kansas
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160 +/- ACRES IN LABETTE COUNTY, KANSAS Whether you're seeking a ready to develop hunting tract or a place for your cattle to graze. Maybe expand with more tillable acres, this 160+/- acre property delivers. Cattle pasture, tillable, creek, 2 ponds, hay production, timber, this is a do all farm. Located just 4 miles East of Big Hill Lake, and 6
Josh FiscusRed Cedar Land Co./ Fiscus Land Company
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So much storage in this spacious 2-3 bedroom brick home. Large family kitchen is open to living room with brick fireplace surround by built-in cabinetry! Natural wood beams vault the ceilings and add a beautiful spaciousness to the rooms. The primary bedroom is complete with double closets and attached bath with newer walk-in tiled shower. Sunroom/TV Family room off the back of the house can be
2-bedroom home needing a new family to love, located on large corner lot. 1 full bath with new flooring, kitchen, living room and/or dining room....your choice on how to use this space! Large, fenced yard, big front porch plus a second unfinished story for storage or to add additional living space! Call to see this cutie before she's gone at this price!
This is one of the few **3-bed, 2-bath** homes in town at this price -- and it's got that easy going, country-comfort vibe from the moment you walk in. The living room gives you plenty of space to kick off your shoes and relax, and the kitchen keeps its farmhouse charm with those sweet open shelves framing the window over the sink.The bedrooms are generously sized with lots of storage,
2.644 acres vacant land. Land is surrounded by Commercial and multifamily zoning. Nice trees on the South end of the property. Excellent site for multi-family housing.
This is the kind of property buyers wait for. A beautifully reimagined circa-1900 home that combines historic character with the comfort, efficiency, and finishes of a nearly new home, all set on 4.14 acres inside Parsons city limits.Thoughtfully remodeled from the studs up, this 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home offers 2729 sq ft of finished living space. The heart of the home is the incredible,
Classically Beautiful home, available for the first time. This four bedroom three bath home has been immaculately maintained and upgraded throughout. On front entry level is the custom kitchen with all the amenities including wine fridge, the dining room and comfortable living area. Plantation shutters in several rooms and everything is tastefully decorated. Upstairs boasts three spacious
Welcome home to this inviting 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom property featuring a practical layout and plenty of outdoor space. The home includes an attached one-car garage for convenient parking and storage.Step outside to enjoy the large backyard, offering plenty of room for entertaining, gardening, pets, or creating your own outdoor retreat. With three bedrooms and a spacious lot, this home offers
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