Pratt's Mound

Welcome to one of eastern Kansass most unique and compelling land offerings30 rolling acres on the historic Highway 40 corridor, just east of Topeka. This rare opportunity combines unmatched convenience, captivating topography, and deep historical roots. Located just 5 minutes from Tecumseh and only 11 minutes to downtown Topeka, this property offers a lifestyle that blends rural peace with urban accesssomething truly difficult to find in todays market. This land has remained in the same family for just over 50 years, a testament to its lasting value, care, and character. Its now ready for its next chapter, whether as a cherished homestead, an inspiring retreat, or a destination property with historical significance. Convenience and tranquility rarely coexist, but this property offers both. Located directly on hard-surfaced Highway 40, it provides effortless access year-round. Whether you're commuting to Topeka, planning a quick trip into town, or welcoming guests from nearby cities, youre always connectedyet blissfully removed from the hustle and noise. Major routes like I-70 and I-470 are just minutes away, making regional travel to Lawrence, Manhattan, or Kansas City an easy drive. Yet once you turn down the tree-lined asphalt driveway, it feels like youre entering another worldquiet, private, and full of possibility. The land itself is truly special. Rolling terrain creates sweeping elevation changes that provide panoramic views in every direction, including a clear sightline to the Kansas State Capitol dome in downtown Topeka. The primary homesite is perfectly placed at one of the propertys highest points, maximizing light, views, and natural drainage. Enjoy coffee while watching the sunrise from the east-facing deck, then end the day on the west-facing deck as the sun sinks over pastureland. From every angle, the land offers changing seasonal beautyblazing autumn trees, sunlit winter grasses, and spring wildflowers. Beyond its beauty, the property is also highly usable. The pasture area has been previously hayed and offers agricultural potential for livestock, native grass harvest, or regenerative grazing practices. Theres also ample space for recreational useUTV riding, trail creation, hunting, or establishing your own hobby farm. At the heart of the acreage sits a well-maintained 1974 split entry home with updates that support modern living. With 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, the home offers a functional layout, ideal for both full-time living and hosting guests. A finished basement adds significant living space and flexibility, including a non-conforming bedroom that can be used as an office, fitness room, or guest area. An attached one-car garage adds convenience, while the home's exterior featuresincluding the dual decks and the paved drivewayenhance its year-round livability. Whether you're watching wildlife from the windows, hosting a gathering, or enjoying quiet moments at the end of the day, the home is designed to connect comfortably with the land around it. In addition to the main residence, the property includes several useful outbuildings. A 36 x 26 outbuilding with three parking spaces, workshop area and loft is ready for a wide range of useshobby workspace, mechanical storage, art studio, or even conversion into a barn-style guesthouse. Three smaller sheds add even more functionality, perfect for tool storage, gardening supplies, or sheltering smaller equipment. A unique feature of the land is its original hand-dug well, a rare and charming reminder of the property's long history. While not used as the primary water source today, it stands as a testament to the settlers who worked this land with their own hands and is a fascinating relic of prairie ingenuity. Also on the property is an older pond site. Though it currently needs restoration to reliably hold water, the structure remains and offers a valuable starting point for establishing a functioning pond with minor renovationadding water recreation, wildlife habitat, or fishing potential to an already rich landscape. What makes this property especially rare is its deep historical significance. Known through generations of local oral tradition as Pratts Mound, the land was first deeded to Robert Pratt in 1879 and has been a recognizable landmark in the region ever since. Perhaps most extraordinary is the presence of original Oregon Trail wagon ruts from 1843, still visible as they cut across the property. These trail remnants serve as physical evidence of Americas westward expansion, when settlers passed through this very ground in search of new beginnings. Few private properties offer this kind of authentic, well-preserved historical feature. Walking this land is to walk a path once trodden by pioneers. It's an opportunity not just to own acreage, but to become the steward of a piece of American history. And for those with a creative eye and a long-term vision, the land may also offer development potential. With its proximity to major highways and Topekas urban core, the topography and access could support future residential build sites or a small-scale, conservation-minded developmentif and when the time is right. While its currently a peaceful retreat, it also holds opportunity for strategic investment down the road. In a world where land is becoming harder to findespecially land this close to town with this much characterthis property stands apart. It offers not just space to live, but a chance to live with purpose: to connect with nature, to steward a piece of history, and to create a future rooted in something real. Whether you're seeking a homestead, a legacy, or simply a place to breathe deeply and build your next dream, Pratts Mound is ready for you.