Our History

       July 1, 1996 was a significant day in the history of Tallgrass Development Inc. in Topeka, Kansas. On this date the first closing took place, when Larry and Carol Shannon purchased one of two model homes. Residing at 2825 Tallgrass Drive, the Shannons were the original Tallgrass residents. A second model home at 2837 Tallgrass Drive sold shortly after the Shannon purchase.

         Following the development of lots south of 2825 Tallgrass Drive, lots on Blue Stem Drive were open for sale and construction. Early approved builders were Bartley Construction LLC, B & W Development, and Veeder Construction. Two of the investors in the Tallgrass Development Inc. were Charles Pomeroy and realtor Terry Cobb. The current clubhouse served as the office for Tallgrass Development Inc. Along with the office/clubhouse, early residents enjoyed the pond and pool. Covenants, since revised, were also in place as homeownership expanded under the auspices of Tallgrass Development Inc. In 2002 Tallgrass Development departed, and full control and authority of operations went to the homeowners association overseen by the Board of Directors of Tallgrass Homeowners Association, Inc.

         In the early years a governing body was in place. By 1999 Paul Boatwright and Rome Mitchell chaired the Board. Larry Shannon also held a position early. These folks saw that the exterior house painting, mowing, lawn treatments, and snow removal were carried out as covered by the community fees of $95.00 a month. Residents looked forward to a fully developed site of 90 lots by the fall of 2000. Actual construction on the 90th lot, on Cottonwood Circle, began in fall 2020.

         Initially, what is now Blue Stem Drive from approximately 2753 to 2721 was a dirt road. The developers waited for the lot sales and homebuilding before continuing with more permanent surfacing. Tallgrass Drive, Blue Stem Drive, and Sweet Grass Court were the first areas to be developed. Cottonwood Circle (aka The Woods or Redbud) came next. Joe Terrill and John Sims were the developers of Cottonwood Circle. Later, Sage Brush Court was opened. The Meadows, approximately 2713 to 2749 Blue Stem Dr., was the last area to fully open for development. 

         Socials came early to Tallgrass residents. Newsletters facilitated the neighborhood sense of community. In 1999, the residents organized a progressive dinner. The tradition of Tallgrass gatherings continues with both spring (circa 2003), fall, and holiday socials; men's and women's monthly coffees (circa 2005); bridge groups (circa 2005); women's water aerobics (circa 2005); and book group (2019). 

         Tallgrass continues to develop. Although not originally part of the monthly homeowner fee, uniform trash removal by Ditch and Associates was in place by 2008. Recycling pick-up was included in the fees as of 2013. Streets were rebuilt in 2016 and resealed in 2020. In 2019, the fishing dock was replaced. Exterior painting allowance stood at $1,500 as of 2020. The 2020 monthly fees were $150.00. As of 2013, news and notices for the Tallgrass neighborhood were sent via email with the advent of tallgrass.org, the Tallgrass website. Through all the changes and updates, Tallgrass residents have continued to coalesce around the common good, supporting one another in daily life.