Pratt is an established city with varied amenities
Pratt rests in the rolling plains of south-central Kansas, about 80 miles west of Wichita. As the seat of Pratt County, it provides amenities and services for about 6,500 city residents as well as people from the more rural surrounding areas. People who settle in Pratt tend to stay, but the community is also welcoming to newcomers. “It’s a well-established city with a good hospital, a junior college and a number of different churches,” says John Hamm, a broker with Hamm Auction & Real Estate LLC who has lived in Pratt County all his life.
Pratt housing includes bungalows, split-levels and newer construction
Most of central Pratt is laid out in a grid, with wide, grassy easements separating the streets and sidewalks. Around the edges of the city, sidewalks are less common, and homes tend to have private driveways. Small cottages and bungalows may sell between $30,000 and $100,000, depending on size and condition. The majority of houses typically range from $100,000 to $420,000, with options including midcentury ranch-style homes, late 1900s split-levels and some newer construction. Residences on multiacre lots sometimes sell for almost $650,000.
The South Fork Ninnescah River and area creeks may flood after heavy storms, so lenders may require flood insurance.
A true Main Street, plus chain stores near U.S. Route 400
The city is home to a mix of locally owned businesses and chains. Boutiques and shops line the edges of Main Street, including Memories and Wheat State Mercantile. “A lot of towns don’t have a great Main Street, but ours is full,” Hamm says. “Sometimes you even have to drive around the block to find parking.” Most chain stores rest near U.S. Route 400 in the eastern part of the city. “Pratt is a shopping hub for a number of people in smaller towns,” Hamm says. “A lot of them come here to shop at Dillons and Walmart.”
Pratt also has several restaurants. Chapeau is known for its pizza tacos — folded pizza crusts stuffed with Italian sausage, cheese and shredded lettuce. Uptown Café & Grill and Club D’Est share a building along Main Street. Uptown Café & Grill specializes in casual American food, while Club D’Est features steaks and seafood.
From mini train rides to movie nights, there’s plenty to do in Pratt
Pratt boasts about 270 acres of public green space. “The city keeps our parks mowed and well cared for,” Hamm says. Lemon Park spans almost 120 acres, and it has ball fields, a playground and walking paths. Sixth Street Park offers similar amenities, as well as a miniature railroad. “One of the local ladies’ clubs sponsors the train — the little kids really enjoy it,” Hamm says. In the summer months, many residents spend their free time at the Gary and Jean Cromer Municipal Pool, which features waterslides, lap lanes and a splash area. Members of the Park Hills Country Club can swim in its saltwater pool and play the nine-hole golf course.
Indoor recreation options are available as well, such as the Rolla Rena Skate Center and the Pratt Community Center. Locals can also join Blythe Family Fitness, which offers exercise classes, fitness equipment and several indoor sports courts. The Barron Theatre, on Main Street, shows first-run movies on weekends and houses a teen center.
Pratt County Fair and Miss Kansas pageant draw June crowds
The community hosts several events throughout the year. In June, farmers, home chefs and 4-H members bring their finest work to the Pratt County Fair in hopes of winning a blue ribbon. The Miss Kansas pageant, which is held at Pratt Community College, also takes place in June. “It brings quite a few people to town,” Hamm says. From late November through early January, there is a drive-through light show in Lemon Park. “They’ve got music playing, and there are all kinds of Christmas scenes,” Hamm says. “I usually hook up a trailer to my tractor and give rides through the lights, and there are a couple of guys who bring out their horses and wagons to take people through.”
Most children attend the B-plus-rated Pratt school district
Some parts of the community are zoned for Skyline Unified School District 438, which gets an overall B-minus rating on Niche, but most city students attend the B-plus-rated Pratt Unified School District 382. Southwest Elementary School earns a B, and Liberty Middle School receives a B-plus. Pratt High School gets a B-minus, and students have a choice of educational pathways, including healthcare and woodworking. Pratt Community College offers technical training courses and several associate degree programs.
Many employers in the area, and people usually travel by car
There are several major employers nearby, including Pratt Regional Medical Center and Pratt Community College. “Sometimes we have a shortage of people to fill all the jobs,” Hamm says. Most residents travel by car, and U.S. routes 281 and 400 both run through the area. County residents without their own transportation can schedule rides through the Pratt County Council on Aging. Freight trains often come through the community, which may cause delays along North Main Street. “Whenever they stop for about 15 minutes to change the crew, people get a little irritated,” Hamm says. The Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport is less than 75 miles east.
