CARBONDALE
Carbondale is a small town 12 miles south of Topeka that offers a close-knit community with easy access to the state capital. With a population close to 1,400, it provides a range of amenities including a medical clinic, pharmacy, library, grocery store, bank, parks, a swimming pool, and a sports complex. Part of the Santa Fe Trail School District, Carbondale offers excellent academic and athletic opportunities. It's a great place to live, work, and raise a family, with the motto "Small town comforts, big city connections."
THINGS TO DO
The library is more than just books – it's a vibrant hub of activity and connection for all ages. They offer a Summer Reading Program for K-12 students, Tween Time for after-school fun, craft days, and Story Hour for the youngest readers. Their goal is to be the "front porch" of our community, a welcoming space for all. Learn more.
City Library
Carbondale East Lake, located two miles east of Carbondale in Osage County, serves as the city's water supply and offers outdoor recreation opportunities like fishing, boating, hiking, and kayaking (no camping). The lake, which spans approximately 140 acres, is stocked with various fish species and features an earthen dam.
Carbondale East & West Lake
A non-profit organization located at 740 W 125th St., dedicated to rescuing horses and providing riding lessons to the community. They host various community events throughout the year, sharing their love for horses and promoting equine welfare. Learn more.
B&C Equine Rescue Inc.
Get ready for an off-roading adventure like no other at McCain's Off-Road Park! Their 120-acre facility offers a variety of terrain for UTVs, ATVs, and dirt bikes, with hills to climb and numerous trails to explore. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced rider, they have something for everyone. Learn more.
McCain’s Offroad Park
The Carbondale Fall Festival and Street Dance is an annual event held on Main Street, featuring food trucks, vendors, a parade, and a street dance that evening. This beloved community event celebrates the fall season with delicious food, local shopping, and lively entertainment for all ages. Hosted by Lions Club. Learn More.
Carbondale Fall Festival
The annual “Christmas in Carbondale” community gathering is held the first Sunday of December.
Full schedule of events will be announced soon at the link! Sponsored by Lions Club and the City of Carbondale. Learn more.
Carbondale Christmas
HISTORY
Carbondale, Kansas was incorporated as a city of the third class on October 15, 1872, with C. C. Moore as its first mayor. The town was named after the Carbon Coal Company, which built the first houses for miners and a store selling groceries, meats, and provisions. The coal fields surrounding the town supported extensive mining operations, with around fifty locations where coal was dug. In 1872, a two-story stone schoolhouse was built, with an addition added in 1882. Tragedy struck on May 6, 1881, when a mine fire claimed the lives of nine men. The town is also notable for its location along the Santa Fe Trail, with a marker placed by the Daughters of the American Revolution near the Highway 75 and Highway 56 intersection.
Famous for: Barnum Brown
MORE INFO
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Willow's Bend (wedding & event venue)
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Shively Farm (pumpkin patch, sunflower field, and more)
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Carbondale Rec Commission (baseball and softball)
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Community Building (Available for rent, hosts community events, and monthly BUNCO)
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City Park (Currently being updated with new equipment, a dog park and walking trail.)
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New Housing Development (Tucker Subdivision on West Hill; 40 new homes when complete.)