Linn Valley, Kansas, courtesy of Google Maps.
Linn Valley, Kansas, the newest city in Linn County, was officially established on November 23, 1998. However, it started in the late 1970s as a 2,400-acre private recreational and residential community called Linn Valley Lakes.
Luring visitors from nearby Kansas City, some 40 miles to the north, and other surrounding areas, the resort included more than 5,000 lots and almost 400 camping spaces. Over the years, lots were sold, homes were built, and several amenities were developed, including a 35-acre spring-fed lake, an 18-hole golf course, a campground, a community center, a clubhouse, and more.
Before establishing the city of Linn Valley, the development was managed by a Property Owners Association but was governed by the county. Often, the Property Owners Association found itself hampered and prohibited from enforcing the covenants and by-laws of the association. As a result, property owners signed a petition requesting the incorporation of a third-class city established in November 1998. At that time, the population of Linn Valley was about 375 residents. Today, the city has a police department, city hall, city officials, and a volunteer fire department.
The community offers various year-round recreational activities and events, including boating, fishing, a restaurant, a miniature golf course, tennis courts, a swimming beach, a swimming pool, and more. In addition to the main 135-acre lake, seven more lakes and ponds are located within the resort. As of the 2020 census, the city’s population was 956.
Compiled by Kathy Alexander/Legends of Kansas, updated June 2024.
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