Before it was annexed by Topeka in March of 1926, Oakland was its own small town. That’s why today, “It feels like its own little community,” says Debbie Gillum, a Realtor with Hawks Real Estate Professionals who grew up in Oakland. “It still has that sense of seclusion because it’s on the east side of the river.” Among the many mid-century homes and houses of worship are reminders of another time. “You’ll see some of these old, rundown buildings. They used to be our small-town shops. We’d walk to them as kids to buy candy and treats,” says Gillum. Though these boarded-up buildings are now memories, there are still a few longtime restaurants in the neighborhood, including the city’s oldest bar. Longstanding traditions such as Fiesta Topeka have also been going strong for nearly a century, fostering community pride in this leafy, urban neighborhood just 3 miles northeast of Downtown Topeka.
Longtime bars and restaurants
A few local businesses can be found mingled with homes along NE Seward Avenue on the neighborhood’s south side. One of them is Brass Rail Tavern, the oldest bar in Topeka, which opened in 1933. Today, the bar’s rustic and lively atmosphere attracts people looking to sing karaoke and hang out with friends on the patio until 2 a.m. Abigail’s Oakland Grill and Bar also stays open past midnight and is a popular spot to enjoy pub grub while playing pool and darts or watching sports. Locals can also grab a slice from Pizza Parlor, a staple since the 1960s, or some Mexican food from Restaurante Oaxaqueño. For shopping, there’s a Dollar General on NE Sardou Avenue at the center of the neighborhood. The closest big box retailers are Walmart and Dillons, about 4 miles away on U.S. Route 24.
Outdoor and indoor recreation at Oakland Billard Park
Oakland Billard Park features three ballfields and a soccer field, which are used by leagues through Shawnee County Parks and Recreation. The park also has a playground and a skate park (one of three in Topeka) with a half bowl, quarter pipes and other ramps and rails. The Oakland Community Center offers indoor activities, including basketball and volleyball leagues, a membership fitness center and a game room with air hockey, billiards, Ping Pong and more. The community center’s outdoor pool has been around since the 1950s and is being replaced, with the new pool slated to open in 2025. A 1.6-mile trail wraps around the park, leading to Santa Fe Park, which has two more ballfields and a basketball court. It leads to the Oakland Levee Gravel Trail, running almost 9 miles along the Kansas River, through farmland and by the Shunganunga Creek.
Celebrating Mexican traditions at the annual Fiesta Topeka
Since 1933, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church has hosted Fiesta Topeka. The annual five-day event is held every July, featuring Mexican food, music and art, along with carnival rides, a 5K walk/run, a parade and much more.
Mid-century bungalows and ranch-style homes
Oakland has long grid-pattern streets, some of which stretch for 1.4 miles with tree-lined sidewalks. Two- to three-bedroom bungalows and ranch-style houses from the mid-1900s make up a majority of homes, sitting on approximately 0.15-acre lots. However, some of the town’s original Victorians can also be found scattered around the neighborhood. Most houses have driveways in the front with a detached garage that connects to a back alleyway. Homebuyers can expect to spend around $115,000 to $215,000.
C-plus grades from all three schools
Each school zoned to Oakland earns a C-plus grade from Niche. Students start at State Street Elementary, which is attached to Chase Middle. Some homes are just steps from the two schools, while others are no more than 1.5 miles away. Highland Park High, about 3 miles south, is ranked the seventh-most diverse public high school in the state.
Transportation
Topeka Metro buses run along NE Seward and NE Sardou avenues, which can be taken to Downtown Topeka about 3 miles away. Interstate 70 runs through downtown, which locals can take to drive west through Kansas and 60 miles east to Kansas City. Philip Billard Airport in Oakland offered commercial flights until 1976. Today, it’s mostly used for private planes. The closest airport with commercial flights is in Kansas City.
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.
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Oakland Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Oakland, Topeka sell after 33 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Oakland, Topeka over the last 12 months is $98,000, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home with a ton of upside. A little updating will go along way. Solid built home with hardwood floors hiding ready to be brought back to life. Ideal layout for a starter home or downsize. Full basement with a ton of extra space to spread out. Detached, two garage with extra parking off alley. Quiet neighborhood. Come take a look and see the potential.
Newly refreshed Oakland bungalow on a large corner lot. Move-in ready with so much already done for you. New interior and exterior paint, windows, doors and refurbished porches. New A/C and heater, plumbing, kitchen fixtures and a brand new bathroom. Refinished hardwood floors in the living room and bedrooms with new vinyl flooring in kitchen, dining room, laundry area and sun porch. Large fenced
Charming and full of potential, this classic 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom bungalow features a beautiful stone exterior and sits on an oversized lot in Topeka’s desirable Oakland neighborhood. The home offers new interior paint, updated vinyl windows, a bright and cozy layout, and a full unfinished basement just waiting to be finished for added living space or storage. With plenty of room to expand
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