Montara, Kansas

Montara is an unincorporated community in Shawnee County, Kansas, United States, south of Topeka.^[1]

History

Montara was largely developed in the 1960s as Military Housing for the nearby Forbes Air Force Base, and was known as "Cullen Village".^[2][3] After the base closed in the 1970s, in 1979, Lario Enterprises bought the community from the city of Topeka, and began refurbishing the approximately 1,050 units for resale.^[2] After about 500 units were sold by 1989, the developer turned to refurbishing and renting out units, leaving a owner/renter split in the community (40/60 in 2003).^[2]

While a large portion of the homes are owned and rented out by Montara Leasing, over time in recent years a large number of homes have been bought and are now owner-occupied.

Today

Montara is a quiet community about 3 miles south of Topeka and near Pauline and Forbes Field. There are three parks, one on the north end, and two on the south end. There is also three baseball dimonds and a soccer field located to the east and behind the paris community center.It also consist of Forbes Golf course and a Go cart track. There is also a community center (Shawnee County South Community Center) nearby.

Education

Education is provided by USD 437 Auburn-Washburn. Pauline Central Primary & Pauline South Intermediate schools are located in Montara.

References

1. ^ Alicia Henrikson (June 18, 2002). "Montara residents request office". The Topeka Capital-Journal. http://cjonline.com/stories/061802/com_montara.shtml. Retrieved February 22, 2010. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} Rick Dean (June 21, 2003). "Campaign improves area". The Topeka Capital-Journal. http://cjonline.com/stories/062103/loc_montara.shtml. Retrieved February 22, 2010. 
3. ^ Associated Press (March 18, 1977). "Forbes property put up for sale". Lawrence Journal-World. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HLcrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uuUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=7035,2880407. Retrieved February 22, 2010.