To truly appreciate the rich history of McFarland Farm, one must go back nearly a century to the early days of Topeka.
The previous owner of the land and patriarch of the McFarland family was Dr. Kenneth McFarland, a nationally renowned speaker and Kansas native. He earned a bachelor's degree from Pittsburg State College of Kansas in 1927, followed by a master’s degree from Columbia University in 1931 and a doctorate from Stanford University in 1940. In 1942, when he was appointed Superintendent of Topeka Public Schools, he moved his family to the outskirts of Topeka—to the 138 acres that are today known as McFarland Farm.
As the subsequent heir to the family farm, Kay McFarland called this property home until 2001. After graduating from Washburn University School of Law in 1964 as the sole female in her class, she became the first female judge of the probate and juvenile courts for Shawnee County in 1970. In 1972, she became the first woman elected as a Shawnee County District Court judge. Five years later, she was the first woman appointed to the Kansas Supreme Court, and in 1995, she became the first female Chief Justice, holding the position until her retirement in 2009. Though Kay McFarland passed away in 2015, her impact and legacy live on through her generous endowments.
In 2001, Kay McFarland sold McFarland Farm to developers to construct a premier, master-planned residential community that would pay tribute to the land’s unique heritage. “The development partners set out to honor the McFarland Farm legacy, keeping the name and creating a beautiful new home community in the heart of Topeka,” said Cathy Lutz, Associate Broker, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices First REALTORS®.
Early in its conceptualization, partners Ron Lutz, Joyce Lutz, Ron Andersen, Mary Andersen, Craig Lutz, and Elinor Hart worked closely with land planners to create a beautiful neighborhood and peaceful retreat—just minutes from downtown—with abundant green space, berms, plantings, sidewalks, and neighborhood lakes for residents to enjoy. The founding partners’ dedication to this project for over two decades reflects their deep love for the land and their community. Their vision, the McFarland Farm community, is their legacy—one that will be enjoyed for generations to come.
As Topeka's only master-planned neighborhood, McFarland Farm includes a community pool, private gated maintenance-provided homes, and larger single-family estates. “Heritage Homes, which is owned by Craig Lutz, General Contractor, has custom-built most of the homes in the community,” Lutz said. “To his credit, their team building approach incorporates some of the area's best designers, subcontractors, and craftsmen, creating custom homes as wonderful and unique as the families who own them.”
The founding partners’ thoughtful design is not just seen—it’s felt. Wide, well-lit walking paths encourage evening strolls. A neighborhood pool provides a gathering place for families, while fully stocked fishing lakes invite grandparents and grandchildren to fish from the banks. The landscaping, lush foliage, and ample green space echo the beauty of the original farmland.
At the entrance to McFarland Farm stands Spring & Sprite, a bronze equine sculpture by Colorado artist Veryl Goodnight. Specially chosen by the developers, the horses are mounted within a waterscape cascading over granite boulders sourced from the land. The entry monument serves as a fitting tribute—connecting the land’s history as a renowned horse farm to its present-day use as Topeka’s premier new home community.