Shawnee

Shawnee is a suburban municipality in Johnson County with residential neighborhoods and shopping areas west of Kansas City. The town features parks, schools, and community spaces that serve the everyday needs of its residents.

The area was originally home to a Shawnee Indian mission before the town was established in 1857. In the 1800s, a military road connecting two forts passed through this location, bringing early traffic and settlement to the region.

The town's heritage centers on the early mission that gave it its name and shaped settlement patterns here. Visitors can learn how religious and agricultural traditions influenced how the community developed.

The town is sprawling and best explored by car, with parking readily available at most locations. Major parks and shopping areas are well-distributed throughout, making it easy to find what you need.

The town's name comes from a mission station that operated here before the city was founded, serving as a religious and trading outpost for Shawnee Indians. This heritage often gets overlooked in favor of modern suburban developments that define the place today.

Location: Johnson County

Elevation above the sea: 325 m

Shares border with: Overland Park

Website: http://cityofshawnee.org

GPS coordinates: 39.01280,-94.76580

Latest update: December 20, 2025 11:35