$118,201Average Value$107Average Price per Sq Ft11Homes For Sale
A working-class community known for its Mexican culture
East Topeka was developed in the late 1800s, organized with north-south streets named after U.S. states and numbered streets running east and west. Many of these streets are residential with houses dating as far back as the neighborhood’s origins. Others, such as California Avenue and Sixth Street, are commercial. Mexican restaurants are common, because East Topeka and its neighboring community of Oakland were where many Mexicans emigrated to work on the Santa Fe Railway during the late 19th century. The Mexican culture is also prevalent through the neighborhood’s churches, such as Casa de Dios Topeka, along with the many Hispanic markets. "East Topeka is one of those areas if you grew up there, you stay there,” says Janet Carter, broker of Carter Realty and a native Topekan. “Most of those people don’t venture out because they know the area and the people. It's a working-class neighborhood, and they are comfortable.” Carter adds that people moving from outside of Topeka tend to be drawn to the west side of the city for the newer homes.
Close to downtown and Lake Shawnee, East Topeka is a community beaming with cultural pride.
Zoila's Cafe is a family restaurant with amazing flavor in every bite.
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Outdoor fun at Dornwood Park and Lake Shawnee
Dornwood Park's five fields serve as the home for the Topeka Baseball and Softball Association for players ranging in age from under 6 to older than 19. There's also a playground and a spray park. The wooded Deer Creek Trail runs 3 miles north along Deer Creek to the Shunga Trail along the Shunganunga Creek and less than 2 miles south to Lake Shawnee, the largest lake in Topeka. Trails continue around the stocked lake, leading to boat ramps and fishing docks. Other activities surround the lake, including a disc golf course and Ted Ensley Gardens, where people can stroll and relax among 1,500 plants and flowers. Topeka Cemetery, established in 1859, occupies about 80 acres of the neighborhood alongside the adjoining Mount Auburn Cemetery.
Watch the kids play on the playground at Dornwood Park in East Topeka.
Residents in East Topeka take brisk walks around Lake Shawnee with furry friends.
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Dual language and science & fine arts magnet elementary schools
While students from all over Topeka have to apply to attend Williams Science & Fine Arts Magnet Elementary School, many who live in East Topeka are zoned there. The magnet school earns a C grade from Niche and is the only elementary school of its kind in the city, where students can get hands-on experience in various science labs. Students may also apply to attend C-plus-graded Scott Dual Language Magnet Elementary School, a designated International Spanish Academy by the Embassy of Spain. Students go on to Eisenhower Middle School, graded C, and Highland Park High School, graded C-plus.
Kids in the area can attend Williams Science & Fine Arts Magnet School.
Scott Dual Language Magnet Elementary engages students in the highest quality of learning.
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Mexican restaurants and grocery stores
East Topeka has just over a dozen Mexican restaurants, most of which are on Sixth Street. Tacos El Sol has been in operation since 1998. It’s one of many sit-down Mexican restaurants, in addition to the Poblanos Grill Cemitas food truck and the Panaderia Monterrey bakery. Mexican produce is also available at La Unica Super Market and Mi Pueblito Meat Market, both of which sell and serve food. On California Avenue, locals can shop for everyday essentials at Walmart, Dillons and a few other national retailers. The busy thoroughfare also has a mix of national chain and local restaurants.
East Topeka's SE 6th Street is lined with delicious restaurant options.
Locals can stop by La Unica Super Market for groceries and fresh tortillas.
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Houses from the late 1800s through today
East Topeka’s long and straight streets are lined with houses mostly built between the early and mid-1900s, with a few dating as far back as the late 1800s. The oldest homes are bungalows and two-story cottages, while ranch styles began popping up in the mid-1900s. They can be anywhere from 600 to 2,300 square feet, with prices ranging from $25,000 to $225,000, though most hover around $80,000 to $140,000. Some vacant lots exist, though most homes have next-door neighbors. There is a newer development on the southeast side of the neighborhood close to Lake Shawnee. Built beginning in the 1990s, this area features modern ranch-style and New Traditional houses with multi-car garages. They range from around $200,000 to $400,000.
Many houses are built with garages due to East Topeka being in Tornado Alley, a Midwest region susceptible to tornadoes, especially from April to June. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has been tracking tornadoes since 1950. Since then, the only tornado to touch down in East Topeka was in 1991. It was an EF0 tornado just north of Lake Shawnee, which caused about $250,000 in property damage.
Homes in East Topeka closer to downtown are mostly bungalows and cottages.
Some larger homes live near Lake Shawnee in East Topeka.
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Fiesta Topeka and annual events at Lake Shawnee
Fiesta Topeka is a five-day event, held traditionally at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in the bordering neighborhood of Oakland. It draws crowds in July to celebrate Mexican culture through food, music and art. Carnival rides, a parade and a 5K race add to the event's attractions. Lake Shawnee also hosts events, including the Sertoma Great Topeka Duck race, where thousands of participants purchase floating plastic ducks, which are then dumped into the lake to race to the finish line. The grand prize in 2024 was a car, and proceeds went to local charities. There’s also Winter Wonderland, a drive-through light display held during the holiday season at Lake Shawnee to raise money for TARC, a non-profit organization that provides services for people with disabilities.
Getting around East Topeka and the rest of the city
A drive to downtown can be 30 seconds to 10 minutes, depending on the East Topeka starting point. From the north side, the drive is along Sixth or 10th streets right into the heart of the city. From the center of the neighborhood, the drive is about 2 miles on Interstate 70. Residents closer to Lake Shawnee also take I-70, though it’s a 6-mile commute. Public transportation is available through Topeka Metro, which has bus stops all along the main roads. Those traveling long distances can take I-70, which runs east and west through the entire state of Kansas. People who want to fly drive 70 miles to Kansas City International Airport. There’s also an Amtrak station just entering downtown from Sixth Street, where the Southwest Chief train goes northeast to Chicago and southwest to Los Angeles.
East Topeka's Amtrak station provides locals with direct access to travel the country.
Topeka Metro buses offer public transportation with stops throughout East Topeka.
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Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site
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East Topeka Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in East Topeka, Topeka sell after 43 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in East Topeka, Topeka over the last 12 months is $128,000, down 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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