Waterville, KS

Set along the banks of the Little Blue River in Marshall County, Waterville is a peaceful rural community with deep pioneer roots. The town got its start in the late 1860s as the end of the line for the Central Branch railroad, and that history is still visible today. Between the preserved rail line, the classic downtown square, and quiet residential blocks shaded by mature trees, it feels like a genuine slice of classic Kansas.

ATTRSharonPapierdreams / CC BY-SA 4.0

Everyday life here centers around a close-knit neighborhood atmosphere, historic Victorian homes, and beloved local landmarks like the restored Weaver Hotel and the 1903 Opera House. Families appreciate having Waterville Elementary right in town, while older students attend the Valley Heights junior and senior high school shared with neighboring Blue Rapids. For anyone looking for wide-open spaces, a slower pace, and neighbors who know each other, Waterville makes a welcoming home.