628 55th St

Description

This 3,000+/- acre ranch is located on the eastern edge of the South-Central Region of Kansas, smack dab in the center of the remaining Flint Hills Tallgrass Prairie; used primarily over the last 25 years as a registered cow ranch along with premier recreation, hunting and fishing. The current owner has extensively improved the ranch with amazing infrastructure including buildings, a lake, log cabin, and boat docks; as well as excellent fish and wildlife habitat. The land is a mosaic mixture of open tallgrass prairie, hardwood timber and fertile creek bottom fields all centered around the meandering Otter Creek which is one of the most natural, pristine and untamed creeks in Kansas with water that is so clear it sometimes looks a beautiful turquoise. The current owner built this ranch steadily over the past 25 years which is quite an accomplishment because some parts have been owned by only two families in the past 150 years. We believe owning property along Otter Creek is not just rare, but a once in a lifetime opportunity. This ranch was recipient of the Kansas Bankers Association Soil Conservation Award in 2014 for implementing management practices for controlling erosion and maintaining the fertility and productivity of the land for future generations. And even though there were no awards for wildlife, the number of trophy Whitetail deer harvested each year, is evidence of the serious management of the deer herd that freely roams the land. The same can be said for the turkey, bobcats, bass, bluegill and other animals. This is a wildlife mecca, that, in my opinion, is as good as any you will find. The land has breathtaking views and diverse fauna and uses. Otter Creek meanders through the whole ranch from west to east. The crystal-clear waters host many species of fish and amphibians as well as supplying water for the hardwood timber lining the creek. There are huge Oak trees, growing for more than 200 years, as well as large Sycamore, Black Walnut, Smooth and Shaggy Bark Hickory, and many others. Most of the creek is solid limestone rock bottom. The views are spectacular from many spots. The elevation ranges from 1,130 to 1,420 feet, a nearly 300-foot difference from top to bottom. Besides the fishing lake there are several stock ponds that have trophy fishing and provide fresh water for livestock. There are also numerous building sites by the lake, creek or on the wooded hillsides. The Lilley property has a nostalgic and historic 1.5 story farm house that began as a Sears and Roebuck kit package in 1870, and evolved with two later additions and then completely restored in 2012, mindful of history and the family it served for so many years. At the other end of the property is a smaller cabin, completely restored in 2024 to original condition with wood cooking and heating stoves. At the south end of the property is a 12-acre trophy bass fishing lake built in 2018 and stocked with Bluegill, Crawdads, Minnows (as forage) and F1 Hybrid 6” Tiger Bass. It includes a Wahoo dock that was custom designed and built for this lake. Dwelling is a two-story farmhouse with 1,900 square feet. 3 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms. The Log Cabin, Bunkhouse and Toy Storage Building are all built near the top of the plateau, just under the rim for wind protection. The view from the Cabin is spectacular and it was placed in this location for that reason. The Bunkhouse was built to accommodate visitors and hunters. The Toy Storage Building is a very recent and necessary addition to store the extra recreational vehicles. The Headquarters is the ultimate setting for a purebred cattle or horse operation with a large Morton barn with office, rec room, kitchen, & bath, calving barn, 2 houses, cattle working pens/facilities, and other outbuildings.