Wakarusa is a small countryside community south of Topeka
Wakarusa is a rural community in Kansas, offering a destination for homebuyers who want to be near the state capital while enjoying a country lifestyle. “The biggest reason people come here is because it’s within driving distance of Topeka. It’s also sitting in a great school district,” says Kelley Hughes, a Realtor with Better Home and Gardens Wostal Realty who has sold several homes in the area. “It has more of a rural community feel, so you get larger properties. And it has lower taxes.” The community is directly south of Topeka along U.S. Route 75. Spacious properties expand into the fields and farmland of the Kansas countryside, making Wakarusa an appealing home for those who want to escape the busyness of the city.
Spacious properties in the countryside
A small cluster of homes sits at the center of Wakarusa on Jordan Road. Tall, leafy trees frame these houses, which include cottages and bungalows. Other parts of the community feature homes on larger lots, often with lots of trees and greenery that add to the rural feeling of the area. These are primarily ranch-style houses and often come with multiple buildings on the property, like detached garages and workshops. The spacious lots allow for activities like small-scale farming. Homes rarely come on the market in Wakarusa; three homes have sold in the past year, ranging from $130,000 for a 660-square-foot bungalow to $380,000 for a 1,350-square-foot ranch-style house. Because the Wakarusa River flows through the community, much of the area is prone to flooding.
Shopping and dining along Wanamaker Road
Wakarusa has little commercial activity besides a post office and an antique store. Residents will likely head north to the west side of Topeka for shopping and dining. “They’re probably going to go to the Wanamaker Corridor. There are all kinds of restaurants there. There’s Johnny’s Tavern, Jeremiah Bullfrogs and Blue Moose,” Hughes says. Johnny’s Tavern is an outpost of a regional bar and grill chain, known for its beer options and bar food. Jeremiah Bullfrogs is a casual sports bar, while Blue Moose serves elevated American fare in a relaxed setting. Stores along Wanamaker Road include Target, Walmart and Kohl’s. West Ridge Mall is home to multiple department stores and smaller shops. Groceries are available at Hy-Vee, Natural Grocers and Aldi.
Highly rated Washburn Rural High School
Students might attend Pauline Central Primary School, rated a B-minus by Niche, for prekindergarten through second grade. Pauline South Intermediate School gets a C-plus and serves third through fifth grade. Washburn Rural Middle School receives a B-plus, while Washburn Rural High School earns an A-minus. The high school is one of eight Kansas schools offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. It also has an Air Force JROTC chapter and several career and technical education pathways.
Residents head to nearby communities for parks and recreation
There are no parks within the community, but several recreation sites are a short drive away. Lake Shawnee is a popular spot on the edge of Topeka, about 13 miles northeast. The lake was built in the 1930s by the Works Progress Administration and has activities like fishing, camping, hiking and playgrounds. The Ted Ensley Gardens feature nearly 38 acres with 1,500 varieties of plants. Golfers can tee off at Lake Shawnee Golf Course, a public par-70 course. The nine-hole Forbes Golf Course is another option, about 5 miles away. Shawnee South Community Park has two lighted baseball fields, a basketball court, soccer fields and a playground.
Nearby highways offer a straight shot into Topeka
U.S. Route 75 and Topeka Boulevard are the two main roads in the community. Topeka Boulevard leads about 12 miles north to downtown Topeka. Stormont Vail Hospital and the University of Kansas Health System are each about 13 miles north of the community. Nearby Topeka Regional Airport does not currently have commercial flights, but the Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority is trying to bring service back to the facility.
Written By
Matthew Atkins
