$79,108Average Value$36Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Urban community with neighborhood improvement association near downtown
Monroe is an urban community just south of downtown Topeka, across from the Kansas State Capitol building. The north side is more residential, with century-old homes, while the south side has several small industrial shops and an undeveloped patch. Monroe has a history of financial struggles as many homes today are in need of repairs. The Monroe Neighborhood Improvement Association works to boost the community through various initiatives. "They do a lot of neighborhood cleanups," says Todd Huston, the NIA president from 2018 to 2021, who moved to Monroe in 1985. "We'd have Dumpsters brought in, and people would clean out their garages and pick up trash on the streets." The neighborhood is home to the Brown v. Board of Education Historic Site. The museum, formally the racially segregated Monroe School, was at the center of the landmark Supreme Court case that ended segregation in public schools. It was where Linda Brown and 12 other Black children attended school when their parents filed the class-action lawsuit against the Topeka Board of Education, changing the course of history. A mural across the street from the museum depicts a colorful, integrated nation with civil rights leaders and children of all races. "A local business donated their wall for the mural," says Huston. "The community got together to sketch it out, and local artists came in to finish the work."
The Monroe Neighborhood Improvement Association works to boost the community through investments.
The Monroe neighborhood is within walking distance of the Kansas State Capitol.
1/2
Pocket parks and long trails
Monroe has a few pocket parks with playgrounds, including Clyde O'Bracken Park, just outside the Kansas Judicial Center. Cushinberry Park is right behind the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site. Named after Grant Cushinberry, a Topekan philanthropist who was known for reaching across racial lines, the wooded urban park features a buffalo statue named "Old Bluff." The statue was created in honor of the former Kansas Technical Institute, which opened in 1895 and, at the time, was one of Kansas' two higher education schools for African-Americans. Along with "Old Bluff," the park has a playground and walking paths that lead to the starting point of the Landon Nature Trail, which connects to an extensive system of trails throughout Shawnee County. It intersects with the Shunga Trail on the neighborhood's southside and stretches 38 miles to the Flint Hills Nature Trail in Quenemo.
Parks such as Cushinberry Park offer Monroe youth sports courts for pickup games.
Along Shunganunga Creek in Monroe, 38-mile Landon Nature Trail intersects with the Shunga Trail.
1/2
Restaurants on Kansas Avenue
Kansas Avenue is lined with several restaurants. Hanover Pancake House has been a community staple for breakfast and lunch since 1969. Other neighborhood restaurants include Golden Dragon, known for its Chinese buffet, and El Centenario, a popular spot for Mexican food. "El Centenario is busy all the time," says Huston. "They're always packing people in there." The closest grocery stores are Walmart Neighborhood Market and Dillons, both of which are about 3 miles away. Wanamaker Road, Topeka's main commercial corridor, is about 5 miles west and has dozens of retailers.
Iron Rail Brewing is a hip gastropub honoring Holliday's contributions to Downtown Topeka.
Hanover Pancake House has been serving the Monroe community breakfast and lunch since 1969.
1/2
Live entertainment at Stormont Vail Events Center
The Stormont Vail Events Center on the south side of Monroe draws people from all over the city. The center frequently features nationally touring musicians, monster-truck rallies, trade shows and more throughout the year. One section of the venue includes the Domer Livestock Arena, which hosts horse shows and other livestock events.
Early 1900s houses
Most houses are on the northwest side of Monroe in a residential pocket between Kansas Avenue and Topeka Boulevard. Common housing styles include Craftsman-style bungalows, American Foursquares and two-story cottages – some with Victorian influences. Many of these two- to four-bedroom homes were built in the early 1900s on approximately 0.13-acre lots. They range anywhere from 700 to 1,800 square feet, selling for $50,000 to $150,000, depending on the size and condition. "I see people willing to pay decent money for houses in the neighborhood and make them better," says Huston. "I bought mine for $35,000 and sold it for $100,000."
Monroe is lined with century-old homes, many of which have been renovated.
Larger Victorian homes are another common home style in Monroe.
1/2
Education through Topeka Public Schools
Most students are zoned to Meadows Elementary School, which earns a C-plus grade from Niche. A few elementary students are also served by Williams Science & Fine Arts Magnet School, which earns a C. All students go on to C-plus-graded Robinson Middle School and B-graded Topeka High School. Built in 1931, Topeka High is well known for its 165-foot bell tower and elaborate Gothic-style architecture inspired by Henry VIII's Great Hall at Hampton Court Palace.
Students in Monroe attend Topeka High, that is graded a B.
Students in Monroe may go on to Robinson Middle School, which also gets a C-plus.
Students in Monroe may attend Meadows Elementary School, which gets a C-plus grade from Niche.
1/3
Access to Topeka Metro buses and I-70
Topeka Metro operates bus routes along Topeka Boulevard, 12th Street and Kansas Avenue. Residents have direct access to Interstate 70, which runs about 65 miles east to Kansas City. While Monroe Regional Airport is about 7 miles south, there are no commercial flights. Instead, locals will drive about 72 miles to fly out of Kansas City International Airport.
Monroe locals can jump on the Topeka Metro to get around Downtown Topeka and beyond.
Monroe residents have direct access to Interstate 70 to access the greater Topeka area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site
Chandler Library Pavilion
Yager Stadium
Huntoon Park
Gage Park
Shunga Glen Park
Cushinberry Park
Reviews
Are you familiar with the Monroe neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Monroe Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Monroe, Topeka sell after 27 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Monroe, Topeka over the last 12 months is $47,000, down 34% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Endless possibilities with this one. Can currently be used as an investment for a rental property, or owner occupy this over 3,200 square foot warehouse space. Sits on a nice corner lot with frontage on 2 sides, and a garage space. It also has a bathroom and a loft upstairs. Vacant and ready to be moved in to day one. It also has a good concrete loading dock. Nice location just a few blocks from
100% REMODELED. 100% OCCUPIED. 100% TURN-KEY. This fully renovated triplex is a cash-flow dream, featuring two sleek studio units and one spacious 1 bed/1 bath—all updated top to bottom and fully leased with reliable tenants. Each unit is equipped with its own heat pump system, offering both energy efficiency and easy tenant metering for future utility separation. Whether you’re just getting
This property has been renovated and is ready for YOU to move in. You get the latest upgrades at the best price. Some have vaulted ceilings and fireplaces! Fresh paint, flooring, new cabinets, new thermostats. Laundry located onsite and off street parking. Pet friendly. Conveniently located in central Topeka, close to highways, downtown and shopping. Call Epic today or apply online at: .
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
