Southeast Kansas Communities
Bill White Realty proudly serves in Montgomery County, Chautauqua County, Labette County, Elk County, and Nowata County. Each county has a uniqueness with towns town rich in history. Check out each town below for more details.
Independence, Kansas
Independence, Kansas is the Montgomery County seat with a population of 9,084 (2016) and has a median property value of $68,100. Spanning 7.75 square miles and situated along the Verdigris River on highways 75 and 169, Independence a offers deep history, family-fun, and education.
The fun begins at Riverside Park with equipment for all ages, a merry-go-round that costs just 5 cents a person, and a passenger train that loops around the putt-putt golf course for just 25 cents. It's neighbor Ralph Mitchell Zoo includes a free where you're surrounded by friendly peacocks as you journey through the bear, cougar, and bald eagle exhibits. The zoo is also the birthplace of the first monkey in space, Miss Able. If you are more of a swimmer on a hot, sunny day take a ride on the lazy river, slides, or diving boards at Riverside Beach Family Aquatic Center. Or head five miles to Elk City Reservoir where one can swim, boat, fish, camp, and hike.
The theatre is an integral part of Independence, Kansas. Home to Pulitzer Prize winner, William Inge, the William Inge Annual Theatre Festival attracts playwrights and celebrities each year. In addition to the Theatre Festival, you can enjoy a week-long celebration called Neewollah (Halloween spelled backward). The largest festival in Kansas, Neewollah is held each year in October that includes a community play, live music concerts, queen's coronation, carnival, competitions, and food vendors.
When it comes to work and education, Independence public schools (USD #446) have above average ranking with a 12:1 teacher-student ratio. Independence Community College was voted #8 in the Top 50 Most Affordable Community Colleges in the nation. Economically, Independence specializes in utilities, manufacturing, mining, quarrying, oil, and gas extraction. The largest industries are manufacturing, healthcare & social assistance, and retail.
Independence, Kansas Schools (USD #446)
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Independence High School, grades 9-12
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Independence Middle School, grades 6-8
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Jefferson Elementary School, grades 3-5
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Eisenhower Elementary School, grades Pre-K-2
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Zion Lutheran School, grades Pre-K-8
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St. Andrews School, grades Pre-K-8
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Independence Bible School, Pre-K-12
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Tri-County Education Co-operative
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Independence Community College
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Coffeyville, Kansas
Also located in Montgomery County just a mile North of the Oklahoma border is Coffeyville, Kansas. Home to more than 10,200 people the town is the most populous in Montgomery County. Also situated along the Verdigris River and I-169 Coffeyville is the lowest point in the state of Kansas at 679 feet above sea level.
Coffeyville, Kansas is a frontier town known for ending the Dalton Gang when they tried to rob two banks in its downtown. A celebration named Dalton Defender Days is held each October to commemorate the event. Just a few months earlier in August Coffeyville holds the annual Inter-state Fair and Rodeo chalk full of family fun including a livestock show, exhibits, bull riding, a carnival, rodeo, and even demolition derby. During the summer you can take a dip in the Aquatic Center complete with lap lanes, diving boards, slides, and a zero level entry pool. if the swimming pool isn't where you like to spend your time Coffeyville options entertainment by way of golf courses, museums, and parks.
Industry and manufacturing make up the majority of the Coffeyville workforce. Home to John Deere Corporation's Coffeyville Works, Coffeyville Resources which produces 2,100,000 US gallons of oil per year, and Sherwin Williams Chemical Co.
Coffeyville offers public (USD #445) and private options for school. The Public school systems have a 13:1 student to teacher ratio and ranks in the top ten for the most diverse school district in Kansas. Coffeyville Community College was voted #1 Top 50 Most Affordable Community Colleges.
Coffeyville, Kansas Schools (USD #445)
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Field Kindley High School, grades 9–12
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Roosevelt Middle School, grades 7–8.
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Community Elementary School, K–6.
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Holy Name School, grades PK-6,
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Coffeyville Community College
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Caney, Kansas
Caney, Kansas is home to just under 2,000 people and covers 1.35 square miles. Situated in Montgomery County along Highway 75, Caney has long been known as a petroleum town. Currently, 145,000 barrels a day of crude oil are transported from Caney to the refinery in Coffeyville, Kansas.
Caney knows how to fun as well as work. Those with a need for speed can head to the Caney Valley Speedway , a quarter-mile clay track where you can find late models, factory stock cars, mods, and sprint cars go head-to-head all summer long. Not an adrenaline junky? The Safari Zoological Park is in its 29th year of saving endangered species. You'll be amazed at the bears, tigers, wolves, primates, and more. The annual festivals continue in Caney with Mayfest. Held each May, families can enjoy more than 30 food vendors, a car show, crafts, games, and entertainment.
Caney Valley Public Schools (USD #436):
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Lincoln Memorial Elementary
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Caney Valley Jr High
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Caney Valley High School
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Caney Valley Charter Academy
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Cherryvale, Kansas
The city of Cherryvale, Kansas is home to more than 2,300 people and known as the "Gateway to Big Hill Lake." Spanning 1.92 square miles. This Montgomery County town is home to the South Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad which spans 511 miles between Kansas and Oklahoma.
An interesting part of Cherryvale's history are the Benders. A family that owned an inn and general store just outside of the town where eleven bodies were found in the 1870s. The Bender family disappeared and was never caught.
If history isn't your cup of tea head over to Big Hill Lake just 3.5 miles East of Cherryvale. Operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers the 367 acres available for public use offer fishing, boating, picnicking, and a sandy beach area for swimming.
Cherryvale School District #447:
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Lincoln Central Elementary School (K-6)
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Thayer Elementary (K-8)
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Cherryvale Middle/High School (7-12)
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Neodesha, Kansas
A Wilson County city, Neodesha is home to just under 2,500 people and is the site of the first commercially successful oil well known as the Norman No.1 Oil Well. Visitors and residents can visit the Norman No.1 Oil Well And Museum that houses the 67-foot derrick replica and 70 years worth of history about oil, the depression, and war in the Southeast Kansas City.
During the Summer head outdoors to the Neodesha Splash Zone offering single day or family passes. The RV park is also one for the nature-lover with four available spots at just $15/day. The fee includes water, electric, and sewer hook-up
While Neodesha isn't playing the citizens are working hard. Neodesha, Kansas has many well-known industries including Cobalt Boats, Neodesha Plastics, Neodesha Quality Machining, Sands Level and Tool, and AgEagle.
Neodesha Public Schools - USD #461:
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Heller Elementary (Pre-K - 3)
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North Lawn Elementary (4-6)
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Neodesha Middle/High School (7-12)
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Parsons, KS
Located in Labette County, Parsons, Kansas has a population of 10,500 and is the second-most-populous in the Southeast Kansas Region. Originating in 1903 as the Kansas State Hospital for Epileptics, Parsons is now home to what is known as Parsons State Hospital & Training Center. The hospital spans 163 acres and includes notable institutions such as the University Center on Developmental Disabilities and the Parsons Research Center for the University of Kansas, the Special Purpose School of the Southeast Regional Education Service Center, The Southeast Kansas Agricultural Research Center of Kansas State University, and the Alzheimer's Association.
Recreation is abundunt in Parsons, Kansas with surrounding lakes including Neosho State Fishing Lake, Lake Parsons, and Big Hill lake that provide family fun full of fishing, camping, boating, swimming, and more. When it comes to family-fun Forest Park is a kid's favorite featuring summer concerts, three playground areas, a caboose, trails, horseshoe pits, and frisbee golf. Continue your outdoor tour by stopping by the Parsons Arboretum to take in the beautiful flora, gardens, wetlands, and gazebo.
When it comes to annual events Parsons knows how to bring the community together. With an annual event almost every month you'll always have an excuse to get the family together and get out on the town. Katy Days kicks off the summer celebrating Parsons' railroad heritage with food, entertainment, and railroad-related activities. In the heat of August enjoy Dawg Daze Festival: a car, truck, and motorcycle show. When the leaves start turning in October the Balloons, Blues & Barbeque festival takes flight filling the skies with colorful hot air balloons and filling your bellies with delicious BBQ. Check out the Parsons Chamber of Commerce for a full list of events, parades, and shows.
Parsons Public Schools USD #503
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Garfield Elementary, 2-3
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Guthridge Elementary, 4-5
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Lincoln Elementary, PreK-1
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Parsons Middle School, 6-8
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Labette Community College
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