Cedar Vale Schools

Cedar Vale students attend school in the Cedar Vale Unified School District 285. Total enrollment for USD 285 is 159 (2013). Students can participate in a variety of activities including football, basketball and track.

Cedar Vale Lifestyle

Cedar Vale is home to 555 (2013) residents. Cedar Vale presents a rich Kansas history with Victorian-style homes and other attractions. Located 30 minutes from Ark City and an hour from Independence, residents have access to a variety of local attractions.

Cedar Vale Transportation

Cedar Vale is located south of highway US-166. Arkansas City is 30 minutes away and Winfield is less than 45 minutes from Cedar Vale. Independence is an hour to the east of Cedar Vale.

Cedar Vale Local Attractions/Activities

Cedar Vale is home to the First Baptist Church and the Church of Christ. The Hilltop Restaurant provides residents with great breakfast and lunch options.

Victorian-style Homes

Many beautiful Victorian homes are located on various streets in Cedar Vale, and those that remain are still well-kept. These include the former J. M. Dosbaugh home, a large red brick house located in the 1000 block on Cedar Street; the former William Rothrock place at 409 Cedar; the former L. C. Adam residence at 302 Cleveland; the former J. B. Whartenby house at 401 Walnut. Also see 701 Walnut and 610 Chestnut. In driving about town, one may discover still other early 19th century homes which will interest you. All of the Victorian-style homes mentioned are cherished and kept in good repair by the present occupants.

(Source- City of Cedar Vale-www.cityofcedarvale.com)

Lookout Mountain

Lookout Mountain is located one mile southwest of Cedar Vale on a gravel road. A private drive leads to the top (elevation 1274 feet), and a short hike affords a splendid panoramic view of Cedar Vale and miles of surrounding country. Fred Montgomery gave the right-of-way for the road to the top of Lookout Mountain to the City of Cedar Vale. Old timers say there was once an Indian trail marker on top of Lookout Mountain that told of Osage Indians traveling the Black Dog Trail to their hunting grounds.

(Source- City of Cedar Vale-www.cityofcedarvale.com)

Cedar Vale – History

Cedar Vale was founded in 1869 by J. R. Marsh, who was "hunting a place of peace and rest". He was captivated by the local tall-grass prairie, the beauty of nearby Lookout Mountain, and the rich bottom-land of the Caney River Valley.

Platted the following year, the town was not "square with the world". Cedar Vale was laid out on the diagonal rather than aligning with north-south compass points, so that looking down Cedar Street gave an unobstructed view of Caney River and Cedar Creek Valleys, and the junction of the two streams.

Cedar Vale has never been a boom or a bust town. Fortunately, its residents have enjoyed a modest but solid economy, waxing and waning with the fortunes of the agricultural enterprises of the area.