Lake Quivira is a community in the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Area. It is just west of Shawnee Kansas, south of the Kansas River, and east of I-435. The 220 acre lake is surrounded by about 300 homes. Lake Quivira Country Club, built in 1928, is on the northeast end of the lake and offers meeting rooms and a restaurant. The restaurant is currently closed for remodeling but will be open in February. The clubhouse was built in 1928.
Back in the day, the clubhouse, golf course and lake were used as a 
weekend getaway or vacation destination. Construction for permanent residences began in the 1930's. Over time, the lake became a gated community with a current population of about 900. It is a city with its' own mayor, police force, and governing board.
What strikes me most about Lake Quivira are the friendly people who live there. It really feels like a community. People wave and smile at you as you cruise slowly through the winding streets around the lake. Dogs can walk with you off-leash. Just about everyone has a pontoon boat at their dock. You'll also notice a good number of kayaks and canoes. Most people have golf carts in their garages. What a great place to live!
Lake Quivira has been designated a "Tree City" by the Arbor Day Foundation. Many of the residents are accomplished gardeners and quite a few are bird watchers. Joggers, runners, and walkers are out on the trails all the time. It's a most beautiful setting in which to enjoy outdoor activities!
What about the homes at Lake Quivira? Well, no two are alike. You'll see small, 2 bedroom homes built in the 30's or 40's; larger, 4 bedroom, 4 and 1/2 bath homes with 3 story pillared decks; some Colonials; a few that look like Lindal Cedar Log Homes; several different Traditional styles in various sizes; many Contemporary homes; a few moderns; a few Mediterranean style; even one designed by architect Albert Yanda known as the Four Seasons House. 
The Four Seasons House can be seen in the photo to your right. See it? Set back in the trees? It looks like it's sideways, doesn't it?
There's another home at Lake Quivira that has a drive-in dock on the bottom level of the house. I call that one the James Bond house.
Prices range from about $300,000 to over a million. Some of the older homes in the lower price range need updating. It's not unusual for a buyer today to spend half a million on the house and lot and then another $500,000 remodeling - sometimes more if they decide to teardown and rebuild a 'wow' house. No matter the size or style of home, all have fun outdoor spaces from which to enjoy the beauty and activities of the lake.
This community is so pleasantly unique that adults who lived here as children come back to buy a house and live here. Some come to raise their families in this exceptional community; others come to retire. Some manage to live and work from here. I'm not sure how they can bring themselves to leave for work every day. I'd be tempted to go swimming or golfing or hiking or bird watching. Did I mention the equestrian facilities?
*Lake Quivira is located in both Johnson KS and Wyandotte counties.
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