Hiking, the Amish and Air Force base proximity define Windsor
Windsor has been a rural crossroads since the mid-1800s, when the railroad was built. Though the railroad no longer operates, the tracks now form the intersection of the Rock Island Trail and the Katy Trail. “Those are part of the longest rail-to-trail project in the country, so a few active people who move here every year,” says Robin Burtchett, a lifelong Windsor local and the owner-broker of Windsor Realty. Home to roughly 3,000 residents, the community lies about 16 miles south of Whiteman Air Force Base and is surrounded by farmland, much of which is owned by a small Amish population. This convenient and peaceful location brings military families and base employees to town. “We get a lot of relocators looking for a nice small town outside the base, and that’s exactly what Windsor is,” Burtchett says. “Besides a few annual community events, not much happens here.”
Homes line gridded streets and rural roads
Housing includes cottages, ranch styles and New Traditionals. Oak and cedar trees typically shade lawns, with the median lot size at a little over a quarter acre. Roads near the center of town follow a grid pattern, and some streets on the outskirts are gravel. Smaller homes and fixer-uppers can go for $25,000 to $140,000, while larger homes typically fall between $150,000 and $300,000. Properties with more land can start at around $540,000 and reach up to $800,000. The median single-family home price is around $156,000, significantly lower than the national median. Tornadoes can impact the area, and sirens are tested on the first Wednesday of each month.
Hikers and bikers sometimes stay the night in Windsor
The 47-mile Rock Island Trail links with the 240-mile Katy Trail near the heart of Windsor. Both gravel paths follow former railroad corridors, with the Katy Trail stretching from Clinton to Machens. Hikers and bicyclists often rest at cabins, campgrounds and motels in town. “Every once in a while, we get a huge group that passes through,” Burtchett says. “They usually only stay for a night, but it’s always fun to hear their stories if you run into them at a local restaurant.” A reservoir built to fuel steam trains now anchors Farrington Park, Windsor’s largest green space. Today, people visit to fish off the shoreline and use the waterfront disc golf course. It also hosts community events, like the Fourth of July fireworks show and the Christmas light display. Harry S. Truman State Park, about 26 miles south, has boat launches, a beach and a marina on Truman Lake.
The Amish operate bulk stores and a produce auction nearby
Brothers Market is a grocery store near Windsor’s core, but locals often choose to shop at the Amish markets on the outskirts of town. “Honestly, they have a better selection of stuff sometimes,” Burtchett says. Spices, beans and honey stock the shelves at places like Kuntry Bulk Grocery and Lilac Lane Bulk Foods. The Amish also operate the Four County Produce Auction between April and October. “It’s wholesale produce, so people will go to stock up on things they want to can or pickle,” Burtchett says. A post office and a few locally owned restaurants fill Windsor’s small downtown district. Furniture, glassware and books are on sale at The Pour Poet, an antique store and coffee shop. Pickled Possum is a dive bar regularly hosting Chiefs watch parties and pool tournaments.
Windsor schools offer support for military families
Henry County R-I School District serves Windsor. Kids can attend Windsor Elementary from prekindergarten through sixth grade before continuing to Windsor High for seventh through 12th grade. Both schools earn C grades from Niche. The district supports military families with special liaisons and a transition program to help new students adjust.
Cars may share the road with horse-and-buggies
Windsor is convenient for hikers, bikers and drivers, though they may share the road with Amish people traveling by horse-and-buggy. State Route 23 reaches Whiteman AFB, which employs around 8,000 people. Flight paths do go over Windsor, and locals sometimes hear routine aircraft training. A 26-mile drive northeast on state Route 52 and U.S. Route 65 leads to Sedalia, home to more stores, restaurants and the Bothwell Regional Health Center. Kansas City International Airport is about 90 miles northwest.
Windsor revolves around SeptemberFest on Labor Day weekend
The Miss Windsor Pageant kicks off SeptemberFest every Labor Day weekend. “All of Windsor basically revolves around the festival from Thursday to Sunday,” Burtchett says. The town’s fairground has a carnival with a Ferris wheel, a fun house and face painting booths. Veterans, firefighters and Windsor High alums participate in the parade through downtown. First Christian Church offers miniature train rides, and musicians perform outside Pickled Possum some nights. There’s also a 5K on Rock Island Trail, a cornhole tournament and a tractor pull.
